Ramayana two-part epic announces record-breaking $480 million budget

The Indian fantasy blockbuster "Ramayana" will be released in two parts with a combined budget exceeding 4,000 crore rupees (about $480 million), making it the most expensive film in Indian cinema history. A four‑minute‑nine‑second trailer showcases massive visual effects, flying elephants, giant battles and celestial cities, underscoring the film’s ambition to dominate the box‑office.

The project is produced and co‑scripted by visual‑effects veteran Namit Malhotra, head of DNEG, the studio known for work on Hollywood blockbusters such as "Mission: Impossible 2" and "The Dark Knight Rises." Building on the international success of director S. S. Rajamouli’s recent films, "Ramayana" aims to capture both domestic and global audiences.

The film is slated for an imminent theatrical release, with expectations that its scale and marketing will push Indian box‑office records beyond those set by earlier hits.