Ramayana to Reach Homes After Cinemas — but Viewers Must Buy It Separately on Pay-Per-View
Only a few days of waiting remain before the much-anticipated film Ramayana: Rise of the Legend reaches cinemas. Audience interest in Namit Malhotra's mega project, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is now at its peak.
There is good news, however, for those who cannot watch this epic drama on the big screen in a theatre. Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi will arrive in viewers' living rooms: after its theatrical run, the film will be available to watch at home.
But not for free with an ordinary OTT subscription. Viewers will be able to watch it under a pay-per-view, or on-demand purchase, model by paying separately — meaning even subscribers will have to pay extra for this film.
The announcement came through a historic agreement between Prime Focus Studios and JioHotstar, a partnership that opens the way for the film's post-theatrical home release.
JioStar chairperson Nita M Ambani said of the initiative: 'Ramayana is one of the priceless treasures of our civilisation, which has inspired our way of life and imagination for centuries. As India enters a new era of storytelling, this is a wonderful opportunity to carry our cultural heritage forward.'
She added that JioHotstar's goal is to take the best stories to every Indian through technology, and that bringing this epic creation to every family in the country and introducing a new generation to its timeless values is a great privilege for them.
Producer Namit Malhotra said: 'I believe Ramayana is an experience to be seen on the biggest screen of a cinema hall, that is, in IMAX 3D. But our country's cinema infrastructure cannot reach everyone. Ramayana belongs to every Indian, so our ambition should be equally large.'
Malhotra said that by joining hands with JioHotstar, their aim is to take the film into people's hands and living rooms after its cinema run ends — making clear that the home release has been planned while keeping the theatrical experience primary.
The first part of the two-part live-action series will be released worldwide in cinemas, including IMAX 3D, on 5 November, the auspicious occasion of Diwali. The film will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English.
The second part will arrive in cinemas in 2027, so the mega project's onward journey will depend on the success of the first part.
The cast is star-studded. Ranbir Kapoor plays Shri Ram, Sai Pallavi plays Mother Sita, Yash plays Ravana and Sunny Deol plays Hanuman, while Ravi Dubey plays Lakshman.
Other roles feature Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor and Kajol Aggarwal — a huge ensemble that has raised expectations around the film even further.
All told, Ramayana is no longer just the wait for a film's release; its wide release plan, from cinemas to home screens, shows the makers intend to establish it as a milestone event in Indian cinema.
