07 July,2026 06:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ramayana. Pic via Instagram
Ranbir Kapoor and Yash's two-part adaptation of the Ramayana has reportedly secured one of the biggest distribution deals in Indian cinema. Karan Johar's Dharma Productions has acquired the theatrical distribution rights for Ramayana in India, as per a report. The production house locked the deal with producers Namit Malhotra and Yash for a staggering Rs 250 crore.
According to a report by Variety India, co-producers Namit Malhotra's DNEG and Yash's Monster Mind Creations have finalised the distribution deal with Karan Johar's Dharma Productions following multiple rounds of negotiations. The negotiations reportedly began at around Rs 500 crore before the deal was closed at Rs 250 crore.
The report added that Malhotra screened nearly 30 minutes of Ramayana's edited footage for prospective distributors before the deal was sealed.
Notably, the distribution agreement marks another major milestone for Dharma Productions, which has earlier distributed several high-profile pan-India blockbusters. These include SS Rajamouli's Baahubali films, Rana Daggubati's The Ghazi Attack, Shankar's 2.0 as well as Jr NTR's Devara: Part 1. Dharma Productions received a significant financial boost in 2024 after Adar Poonawalla's Serum Institute of India acquired a 50 per cent stake in Karan Johar's company for Rs 1,000 crore.
Helmed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana features an ensemble cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The mythological epic also stars Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, Arun Govil as Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjiva and Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, among others.
The film's music is being composed by award-winning composers, AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. According to multiple reports, Ramayana is mounted on a massive budget of around Rs 4,000 crore, making it among the most expensive Indian films ever mounted.
The film will be released in two instalments. The first instalment is expected to release worldwide during Diwali 2026, while the second part, which is currently in the pre-production stage, is slated for a release during Diwali 2027.
The film has created significant industry buzz much before its release, with trade analysts predicting it could emerge as one of Indian cinema's biggest box-office hits.
