Ramayana: Nitesh Tiwari's epic launches nationwide school activation ahead of Diwali 2026 release

Ramayana. Pic via Instagram

Filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is taking its journey beyond the big screen months before its release. The makers have announced a first-of-its-kind nationwide school outreach campaign that aims to introduce children to the timeless epic through creative and interactive activities, while building excitement for one of Indian cinema's biggest upcoming releases.

Ramayana makers announce school campaign

Beginning July 9, the large-scale initiative will cover over 400 schools across 18 cities and is expected to reach more than five lakh students. Designed around the theme "Our Truth. Our History.", the campaign encourages children to explore the values and stories of Ramayana through art, quizzes, storytelling sessions and family discussions.

Unlike a conventional promotional exercise, the makers say the campaign has been envisioned as a cultural movement that helps young audiences connect with the epic beyond mythology. Students will participate in specially curated activities that celebrate themes of courage, righteousness, duty and compassion while also encouraging conversations about the story at home with their parents.

Speaking about the initiative, the makers shared, "Ramayana has lived on for generations through stories, values and shared memory. With this school outreach initiative, our endeavour is to take that legacy to young minds in an engaging and meaningful way. As we build towards bringing Ramayana to the big screen, we wanted children to experience the epic not just as mythology they have heard of, but as a story of courage, duty, love and righteousness that continues to inspire even today."

Ramayana's star-studded cast

The outreach campaign marks another major milestone in the build-up to Ramayana, which is being mounted as a two-part global theatrical event. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the ambitious adaptation features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Sunny Deol will portray Hanuman, while Ravi Dubey steps into the role of Lakshman.

The film is being produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in association with eight-time Oscar-winning VFX studio DNEG and Yash's Monster Mind Creations. Touted as one of the biggest cinematic spectacles ever attempted in Indian cinema, the project aims to combine cutting-edge visual storytelling with the emotional depth of the revered epic.

Ramayana: Part One is slated for a worldwide IMAX release during Diwali 2026, while Part Two will arrive in theatres during Diwali 2027. With the school activation now underway, the makers are hoping to introduce a new generation to the epic long before the curtains rise on the cinematic retelling.