Ramayana: Nitesh Tiwari Reacts To Audience's Reaction To Ranbir Kapoor Film's Teaser; Says 'I Hope We Receive.

The teaser of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana finally came out on April 2, on Hanuman Jayanti. The first footage revealed Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, giving audiences a long-awaited look at the project. Viewers’ strong response left the director emotional, as the teaser marked a major milestone after years of preparation. Namit Malhotra presented the teaser at a special launch event, where the team shared their journey. The film is planned as a two-part worldwide IMAX release. Part 1 is scheduled for Diwali 2026, while Part 2 is expected to arrive during Diwali 2027, setting up a long cinematic run.

Ramayana teaser and audience reaction

Speaking about the road to the teaser, Nitesh Tiwari explained that Ramayana has been seven years in the making. Every day during those years, Nitesh reportedly imagined how viewers would respond when they first saw Ranbir as Lord Rama. The director said this moment had driven the entire team throughout development.

At the launch, Nitesh reflected on how that imagination compared with reality once the teaser played. The reaction at the venue appeared to confirm what the director had hoped. Nitesh acknowledged the scale of the work involved and said the team felt deeply moved by the reception.

Ramayana director and key statement

Nitesh, known for directing Bawaal, Chhichhore, Dangal, Bhoothnath Returns and Chillar Party, addressed the crowd directly. The Dangal director said, "Seeing your reaction, I feel it was worth all these seven years. A lot of people have put in a lot of effort to get here, and I hope we receive the same amount of love from all of you."

The filmmaker also stressed that many departments had contributed across those seven years. From visual development to performances, Nitesh noted that each collaborator played a part in reaching the teaser stage. The director’s comments underlined how personal the project has become for the core team.

Ramayana cast, production team and music

Ramayana is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios, along with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. DNEG, which has won eight Oscars, is associated with the film’s visual work. The makers aim to present a large-scale adaptation that uses advanced effects while staying rooted in the original epic.

The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Music duties are shared by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman. The collaboration between the two composers has drawn strong attention, with viewers curious about how the score will shape the narrative.

Ramayana lead Ranbir Kapoor’s approach to Lord Rama

Ranbir initially declined the role of Lord Rama, according to the team’s account. However, Ranbir’s daughter Raha reportedly influenced a change of heart, leading Ranbir to accept the part. This personal detail has added another talking point around the film and its casting choices.

Discussing the character, Ranbir stated that the aim was not to represent the deity, but to learn from the qualities associated with Lord Rama. Ranbir described Lord Rama as an example of simplicity and purity. The actor said trying to absorb those traits during preparation had been a humbling experience.

With the teaser finally out and the release dates fixed for Diwali 2026 and Diwali 2027, Ramayana now moves into its next phase. Audience response to the first glimpse has strengthened expectations around the project. For Nitesh Tiwari and the cast, the reaction appears to validate the years of work invested so far.