‘Ramayana’ Sets November Release Date

Sony's upcoming Indian epic "Ramayana" is set for a global release on November 6, two days before the Indian premiere arranged by Dharma Distribution to coincide with Diwali festivities. As the first half of a two-part series, "Ramayana" is rooted in the ancient Hindu text penned by Valmiki over 2,500 years ago. The narrative follows prince Rama, an avatar of Hindu god Vishnu, who embarks on a quest to save his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.

Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Sai Pallavi as Sita, the film features compositions from Academy Award-winning Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman. Special effects are courtesy of Oscar-winning DNEG, with Namit Malhotra as the producer through Prime Focus Studios. "Ramayana" is noteworthy for being the first Indian production to hold the "Filmed for Imax" label.

This release coincides with a lineup of other films hitting theaters on November 1, among them Warner Bros.' Dr. Seuss adaptation "The Cat in the Hat" and Toho/GKids' Japanese film "Godzilla Minus Zero." In the specialty arena, MGM's biopic "I Play Rocky" starring Sylvester Stallone, Searchlight's "Wild Horse Nine," and Apple's "CODA" and Sian Heder's "Being Heumann" are also set to release that weekend.

Despite the competition, "Ramayana" is expected to draw a strong crowd, particularly from the Indian diaspora communities in the U.S. and beyond, as successful Indian blockbusters like "RRR" and "Kalki 2898 A.D." have become coveted special attractions. The film enjoyed substantial overseas promotion, with its trailer premiering at San Diego Comic-Con in July.