3 min readMumbaiFeb 25, 2026 09:51 AM ISTRamayana Part 1 is slated for a Diwali 2026 release.Arguably the most anticipated film of the year is Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari. Mounting one of Indian mythology’s most revered epics on an unprecedented scale, the film boasts a massive ensemble cast led by three giants: Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The first glimpse of the film, unveiled last year, offered audiences a brief window into the expansive world Tiwari has been building alongside producer Namit Malhotra. Adding to the global scale of the project is the collaboration between music maestros A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, who have joined hands to compose the score. With such formidable names attached and a story of monumental cultural significance at its core, expectations have understandably soared.Ramayana test screening held in LANow, early reactions suggest that the makers may have delivered on that promise. According to a report by The Week, the first-ever screening of Ramayana was held on Monday evening in Los Angeles, USA, at the Cinemark Playa Vista theatre. The special showcase was arranged for a select audience ranging from 18 to 60 years of age. And initial responses from the screening have reportedly been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers are said to have praised the gargantuan scale of the film, its ground-breaking visual effects, and its commitment to rooted storytelling. The report further clarified that what was screened was only the first cut of the film, sort of a test experiment, as the film continues to evolve ahead of its theatrical release this Diwali.Also Read | Vijay Deverakonda’s mother’s heirloom gift to Rashmika Mandanna, Ambanis in town & power guest list: Inside VIROSH weddingMounted at Rs 4,000 croreProducer Malhotra has reportedly invested approximately Rs 4,000 crore into the ambitious epic. Speaking last year about the challenges of mounting a film of this magnitude, he revealed, “The shooting for Part 1 is almost over now. When I started planning the film, we had a huge vision. Everyone, including actors, asked me if I have enough funds to pull it off. I’ve finished the first film and not borrowed a single rupee. I don’t know where the money is coming from. When people ask me how I pulled it off, even I don’t know. This is something else. It’s just happening on its own. This is not just a project or a business proposition,” he said on the Game Changers podcast.He further added, “People ask me what my final budget is going to be, I don’t know. I don’t check that every day. I just see if we’re making the right product. There should be no compromise anywhere.”Ramayana is envisioned as a two-part epic, with the second installment slated for a Diwali release next year.Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd