Ramayana: Part 1, the much-anticipated mythological drama starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, is being produced by Namit Malhotra who had earlier worked in Hollywood on many films The Garfield Movie and Horizon Line. During a recent public appearance, the filmmaker criticised Hollywood for their stereotypical portrayal of Indians, and how that was the starting point for Ramayana

Speaking at an event held by ET Now, Namit Malhotra recalled his early experience in Hollywood when he felt disappointed by their overall attitude towards India. He said, “I saw that we had no real presence. They didn’t have any representation of our history or culture. I’ve spent the last two decades really trying to establish a foothold in Hollywood, and unlike other American industries like finance and medicine, where Indians have had success, they didn't have an appreciation for our industry, our history or culture.”

The filmmaker elaborated on how this perception reflected in American movies. He said, “It kept frustrating me through this lens of an emerging country, whether it was Slumdog Millionaire. We were always the victim. That always troubled me. I always thought we needed to show who we are, where we come from, and the richness of our history the way the world has never seen before,” adding that this desire became the genesis for making Ramayana. “It is the perfect story of our history that can be presented and shown to the world with pride,” he said. 

Directed by Nitesh Tiwary, Ramayana also stars Sunny Deol, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh and Raghav Juyal among others. The film has music by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer.

The first instalment of the two-part film series is set to release in theatres on Diwali 2026.