The grand trailer launch of Ramayana at Bharat Mandapam was nothing short of a cinematic celebration, bringing together some of the biggest names from the film fraternity, distinguished personalities, and members of the media for one of the most anticipated events of the year. While the evening experienced a few minor delays, the event unfolded seamlessly, leaving attendees impressed by both its scale and emotional resonance.
The star-studded affair saw the presence of filmmaker Karan Johar, producer Apoorva Mehta, actors Kunal Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, badminton champion Saina Nehwal, yoga guru Baba Ramdev, and several revered religious leaders, among many others.
Holding the audience's attention throughout the evening was celebrated poet Kumar Vishwas, whose effortless compering, impeccable command over Hindi, and engaging wit elevated the event. Apart from hosting, Vishwas has also penned the lyrics for the songs in Ramayana, adding another significant contribution to the ambitious project.
The evening commenced on a soulful note with an electrifying sitar performance by Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma. Performing his acclaimed compositions Chanakya and Tandavam, Sharma captivated the audience and set the perfect tone for the evening. It was also revealed that besides music legends A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, Sharma has contributed to the film's musical score, further raising anticipation for its soundtrack.
Producer Namit Malhotra then took centre stage to speak about the decade-long journey of bringing Ramayana to life. Revealing that the film has been in development for nearly ten years, Malhotra reflected on the passion and perseverance that went into creating the project. Having led visual effects work that has earned seven Academy Awards and collaborating with acclaimed filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari—known for delivering some of Indian cinema's most celebrated films—Malhotra expressed complete confidence in the film's vision and eventual impact on audiences.
In one of the evening's most heartfelt moments, Malhotra invited his mother on stage, where she expressed her love, blessings, and gratitude, earning warm applause from the audience.
The highlight of the evening, however, was the unveiling of the official trailer. Visually breathtaking and emotionally stirring, the trailer showcased realistic, world-class visual effects while remaining rooted in the spirit of the epic. Several key characters have intentionally been kept under wraps, leaving audiences eager to discover more when the film releases.
Among the most touching revelations was that Arun Govil, immortalised as Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's iconic 1987 television adaptation, will now portray King Dashrath in Ramayana—a poetic full-circle moment that resonated deeply with everyone present.
Ranbir Kapoor appears remarkably composed and graceful as Lord Ram, embodying the compassion, righteousness, and serenity associated with the character. Ravie Dubey brings warmth and unwavering loyalty to Lakshman, while Sai Pallavi effortlessly captures Sita's innocence, strength, and virtue. In contrast, Yash makes a striking impression as Raavan, bringing intensity, menace, and commanding screen presence in the brief glimpses shown in the trailer.
Following the screening, the principal cast took to the stage, dressed elegantly in traditional Indian formal attire, receiving a thunderous applause from the audience. Each actor expressed heartfelt gratitude for being entrusted with such iconic characters and thanked the audience for their overwhelming support.
The evening concluded on a light-hearted and memorable note as Baba Ramdev was invited on stage to bless the cast and crew. Calling it the first film screening he had ever attended, Baba Ramdev praised the trailer, encouraged audiences to watch the film in theatres, and kept everyone entertained with his humorous banter alongside Kumar Vishwas.
With an ambitious creative vision, an accomplished team led by Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra, music by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, contributions from Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma, and a stellar ensemble led by Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, Sunny Deol, and Yash, Ramayana has already emerged as one of Indian cinema's most eagerly awaited spectacles. Judging by the overwhelmingly positive response at its grand trailer launch, the film appears poised to redefine the scale and ambition of mythological storytelling on the big screen.