Jul 30, 2026 9:00pm IST
‘Ramayana’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’: The Common Threads Running Through Two Epic Mythologies
After much postponement, the trailer for director Nitesh Tiwari’s “Ramayana: Part 1” has arrived. For fans of the mythological epic and the film’s lead cast—Ranbir Kapoor and Yash—it’s pretty much like Diwali. For fans of the genre, it’s one giant step for India, as DNEG, the Academy Award-winning global visual effects company led by Chairman and CEO Namit Malhotra, is fully mounting this spectacle.
The "Ramayana" trailer was showcased at the San Diego Comic Con, only the second Indian film (after "Kalki 2898 AD") to be presented there. But it wasn’t the only title at SDCC that DNEG is attached to. The company has done VFX work for “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” Season 3 and “Blade Runner 2099”. The two Prime Video series hosted a joint panel and presented their trailers at the hallowed Hall H.
During one of his many SDCC interviews, Malhotra described “Ramayana” as “sort of ‘Avatar’ meets ‘Gladiator’ in the world of ‘The Lord of the Rings’.” “Ramayana” is one of the great mythological epics of India. Author J.R.R. Tolkien created his legendarium and the stories of Middle-earth to recreate a mythology for Britain, drawing upon stories from other mythologies, such as Celtic and Old Norse.
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While it would be a stretch to compare the two, there’s no denying that J.R.R. Tolkien’s world of “The Lord of the Rings” and Valmiki’s “Ramayana” from the Treta Yuga do share certain themes (such as a king in exile), stories and even creatures. And it will be interesting to see them realised on screen in “The Rings of Power” Season 3 and “Ramayana: Part One” through visual effects created by DNEG.
A prosperous kingdom
Both “The Rings of Power” and “Ramayana” feature a prosperous kingdom at the heart of it, ruled by a line of kings that are almost ordained by a divine power: The island kingdom of Númenor and the kingdom of Ayodhya. Interestingly, for “The Rings of Power” Season 1, DNEG won the Visual Effects Society Award for helping bring Númenor to life. "The Rings of Power" Season 3 will also bring to life the elven haven of Rivendell, which is much awaited by fans considering Peter Jackson’s version of the city in “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy was truly awe-inspiring.
The villain and his army
Every villain is only as good as his army of terrifying minions. While the Dark Lord Sauron got his army of orcs at his command in “The Rings of Power” season 2, the “Ramayana” trailer shows Yash as the demon king Ravana, addressing scores of his subjects from atop his palace in the Mayanagari of Lanka, his golden city. The scene also evokes the “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” scene in which Saruman rallies his Uruk-Hai army for war.
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Setting a golden city on fire
“The Rings of Power” Season 2 finale features the Siege of Eregion, the sacking of a beautiful city that was home to the greatest elven smiths of the Second Age, including Lord Celebrimbor, who helped Sauron craft the rings of power. In “Ramayana: Part Two,” Ravana’s golden city of Lanka will be set on fire by Lord Hanumana.
The giant trolls and 'rakshasas'
What is “The Lord of the Rings” without its trolls? “The Rings of Power” Season 2 featured Damrod, a hill-troll, fighting alongside Sauron’s orc army during the Siege of Eregion. A similar “rakshasa” or demon-fighting sequence has been shown in the “Ramayana” trailer.
The Forests and mythical creatures
The forests, also known as “vana” or “aranya” in Indian mythology, are alive with magical creatures—both good and bad—in “The Lord of the Rings” world and in “Ramayana.” The trailer for the latter offers a glimpse at ‘Jatayu’, the demigod vulture, and Airavata, the flying white elephant that is the mount of Lord Indra, invoking the Eagle of Manwë and the Mûmak, aka the oliphaunts.
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