Oct 20, 2026 11:15am IST
‘Ramayana’: Yash Appeals to Fans Over VFX Criticism, Ranbir Kapoor and Sunny Deol Lead Buzz as Namit Malhotra Plans Spin Offs
The scale of "Ramayana" is beginning to extend beyond the two films planned for the big screen. At the film’s Telugu pre release event in Hyderabad, actor Yash made a strong appeal to audiences criticising its visual effects, urging them not to lose sight of the ambition behind the project. Producer Namit Malhotra, meanwhile, spoke about plans to expand the epic into a wider entertainment franchise, with potential spin offs centred on characters including Hanuman, Surpanakha and Jatayu.
Here are the key highlights from the event.
Yash Urges Audiences to Look Beyond VFX Criticism
Yash, who plays Ravana in the film, addressed the scrutiny surrounding "Ramayana" and its visual effects, making a case for audiences to support filmmakers attempting to mount Indian stories on an international scale.
“Please don't try to find small faults; VFX, this that. This chance won't come again. For years. If we lose people like him now, we'll go back,” Yash said, referring to Malhotra’s ambitions for the project.
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The actor also called for audiences across regional film industries to rally behind the film. His message was that a production of this scale represents an opportunity for Indian cinema to reach a wider global audience, and that excessive focus on perceived shortcomings could overshadow the larger effort. The remarks arrive amid online debate over the film’s promotional material, with its visual effects attracting both attention and criticism.
Namit Malhotra Wants to Expand ‘Ramayana’ With Character Spin Offs
Malhotra discussed a vision for "Ramayana" that extends beyond its planned two part theatrical adaptation. Among the possibilities are spin off projects centred on characters such as Hanuman, Surpanakha and Jatayu, as well as gaming experiences and theme parks.
The idea is to build on the epic’s expansive world and the stories of its many characters, rather than confine the property to the central narrative of Rama and Ravana. Hanuman, in particular, has a substantial place in the epic, while figures such as Surpanakha and Jatayu offer distinct narrative avenues that could be explored separately.
These projects remain part of the broader vision discussed at the event. No individual spin off has been confirmed with a production schedule or release date, and further details about how the proposed extensions would take shape remain unavailable.
Sunny Deol’s Hanuman Adds to the Film’s Star Power
Sunny Deol plays Hanuman in "Ramayana", joining Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Ravi Dubey plays Lakshman.
Hanuman’s importance to the epic makes the character a significant part of the adaptation, and Malhotra’s mention of a possible standalone story around him points to the potential the makers see in the character beyond the main films. However, the discussion of spin offs should not be mistaken for confirmation that a separate Hanuman film is already in production.
‘Ramayana’ Eyes a Global Release
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, "Ramayana: Part 1" is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026, with the second instalment planned for 2027. The film’s music is composed by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
The Hyderabad event underscored two ambitions driving the project: to bring the epic to a global theatrical audience and to explore whether its world can sustain a larger franchise. For now, the immediate focus remains on the first film, while the proposed spin offs and other extensions signal the scale of the universe Malhotra hopes to build.
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