One of the greatest epics mankind has created is brought to life on the big screen in Ramayana: Rise of a Legend. Producer Namit Malhotra, director Nitesh Tiwari, and actor Ranbir Kapoor sit down to discuss what the film means to them, and how they set about creating it.
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“When the opportunity of Ramayana came along, it was something I felt we had to do. Some films don’t get made, they happen.” Malhotra explains the feeling that he got that it was the perfect time to take on the ancient tale and build upon it.
Malhotra also talks about the manpower involved in Ramayana globally. “Just to give people a sense of numbers, we have over ten thousand people on this film, worldwide,” he says.
The producer is also the CEO of DNEG, the visual effects company responsible for some of the most iconic films in recent history. They’ve won eight Academy Awards for their work in films such as Inception, Interstellar, Blade Runner 2049, Dune and Dune: Part Two.
Malhotra feels as though all the work he put in the company was leading up to this moment. “I built this little company from a garage. Three decades later, having won eight Academy Awards. We have all the best filmmaking talent, acting talent, production capabilities. Everything I ever did in my life was to be able to do this properly.” he says.
Kapoor, who leads the film as the hero Rama, felt inspired by how Tiwari set about directing the film. “The kind of cast, crew that Namit put together. The kind of opportunity that you gave us, scale that you gave us creative people, that’s really rare in this industry.” Kapoor says to Tiwari. “When you took me through your vision, I was bedazzled.”
Tiwari feels like the story of Ramayana is one that can resonate with people from all over the world, saying “There’s something in it for everyone. People from around the world can connect to it. There’s a great father-son story. There’s a great underdog story. A brave love story.”
“Ramayana” is one of India’s greatest epics, which tells the story of Prince Rama and King Ravana, and their intertwined fate bound by prophecy. “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” will arrive exclusively at cinemas on November 5 and November 6 for IMAX and premium formats.
About Ramayana:
Based on the celebrated ancient epic known to billions, Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana: Rise of a Legend tells the story of Rama, a prince bound by sacrifice; Ravana, an immortal king driven by vengeance; and the prophecy that binds their fates together. It stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi.
The film is produced by acclaimed filmmaker Namit Malhotra, whose Academy Award®-winning visual effects company DNEG is behind films including The Odyssey, Dune, Interstellar, and Inception; directed by Nitesh Tiwari, whose film Dangal remains the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide; and scored by Academy Award® winners Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman. Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana: Rise of a Legend will be released globally in theaters in time for Diwali on November 5.
Directed by: Nitesh Tiwari
Screenplay by: Shridhar Raghanvan
Produced by: Namit Malhotra
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, Sunny Deol