Ramayana international distribution goes to Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures will release Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part Ramayana outside India, with Dharma Productions handling the home market.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Ramayana international distribution has landed at Sony Pictures, giving the studio rights to release Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part Indian mythological epic in every territory outside India, Variety reported.
The India release will be handled separately by Dharma Productions, the company associated with media personality Karan Johar, according to Variety. The film is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios.
The project brings one of India’s best-known epics to the big screen on a global scale. Variety reported that the film has been designed for audiences across cultures and will be released in several languages, including an English-language version.
Who is in Ramayana?
Ranbir Kapoor stars as Rama, with Sai Pallavi playing Sita and Yash cast as Ravana, according to Variety. The story follows Rama, an exiled prince, and Sita, whose abduction by Ravana leads to a war between good and evil.
The creative roster is stacked. Variety reported that Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman are handling the score, while Terry Notary and Guy Norris are working on the action choreography.
Production design is being led by Ramsey Avery and Ravi Bansal, according to the report. Visual effects are being produced by DNEG, the eight-time Academy Award-winning company also led by Malhotra.
Variety noted that DNEG’s previous work includes the Dune films, Blade Runner 2049, Interstellar, Inception and The Odyssey.
When will Ramayana be released?
Ramayana is scheduled to arrive in November during the Diwali holiday period, Variety reported. Diwali is one of the most important release windows for Indian cinema, often used for major family and event films.
Malhotra told Variety that Ramayana has inspired people for generations through its “timeless humanity and enduring values.” He said the aim was to respect that legacy while building a theatrical experience for audiences around the world.
He also linked the film to his work with DNEG, saying the company has spent decades helping filmmakers create ambitious screen worlds. Malhotra said working with Sony Pictures gives Ramayana a chance to reach international moviegoers.
The Sony deal also extends a recent relationship between the studio and Prime Focus Studios. Variety reported that Prime Focus previously co-produced The Garfield Movie with Alcon Entertainment for Sony Pictures, a film that has earned more than $257 million worldwide.
Prime Focus Studios has more projects in motion beyond Ramayana. Variety reported that the company is currently in production on Animal Friends, a live-action and animation hybrid with Legendary Entertainment and Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort, as well as The Angry Birds Movie 3 for Paramount Pictures.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.