Team Ramayana used its first-ever appearance at San Diego Comic-Con to position the film as a global cinematic event rather than just another Indian release. Producer Namit Malhotra, director Nitesh Tiwari, Ranbir Kapoor and Yash spoke at length about the years of preparation, the responsibility of adapting India’s most revered epic and the ambition to present it to audiences worldwide with authenticity at its core.
One of the biggest talking points came when Ranbir Kapoor addressed the criticism surrounding his casting as Lord Ram. He acknowledged that every person has a different image of the character and said there can never be one definitive face of Lord Ram. While some may feel he is the wrong choice and others may accept him, Ranbir believes the role ultimately belongs to an actor who approaches it with sincerity, faith and respect for Lord Ram’s journey.
The actor also admitted that accepting the role initially filled him with self-doubt. He questioned whether he could do justice to such an iconic figure before embracing it as one of the greatest responsibilities of his career, adding that portraying Lord Ram has transformed him personally as much as professionally.
Director Nitesh Tiwari revealed that the film’s scale demanded a two-part structure, saying the story could not be compressed into a single feature without compromising its emotional depth. The first film has therefore been designed to conclude at a major turning point before the saga reaches its finale in the second instalment.
Yash described playing Ravana as one of the most demanding roles of his career. Instead of recreating familiar interpretations, he said the team has attempted to present a version that remains faithful to the epic while offering a fresh cinematic perspective. He also praised Ranbir’s commitment to portraying Lord Ram, calling it a performance shaped by intent, sacrifice and relentless preparation.
Speaking about the philosophy behind the project, Yash said the makers never viewed Ramayana as a visual spectacle alone. According to him, every creative decision, from character design and make-up to visual effects, has been guided by the intent to tell the story as authentically as possible.
Namit Malhotra underlined the film’s international ambitions, explaining that Ramayana has brought together world-class artists and technicians with the goal of creating a cinematic experience capable of standing alongside the biggest global fantasy franchises while remaining rooted in Indian storytelling.
More than the footage or the star power, Comic-Con became the stage where the makers explained what Ramayana is trying to achieve. The presentation made it clear that the film is not being marketed simply as India’s next big-budget spectacle, but as a global retelling of one of the country’s most enduring stories. In doing so, the team signalled that its ambitions extend well beyond the domestic box office and into the international mainstream.