In the latest buzz in Btown, the Producer Namit Malhotra reflected on his journey of bringing Ramayana to a global audience during the film’s premiere at the David Geffen Theater inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Addressing an oversubscribed crowd, Malhotra described the screening as a defining milestone in his career, introducing director Nitesh Tiwari alongside lead cast members Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash.
“I wanted to host this evening at the Academy Theatre because this is my Oscar moment,” Malhotra stated. Highlighting his work with visual effects studio DNEG which has won eight Academy Awards for collaborations with filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve—he recalled his humble beginnings starting a garage production company at age 19.
Malhotra also touched upon moving to Los Angeles in 2007 to bridge Eastern and Western cinema, enduring severe financial setbacks during the 2008 global economic crisis before bouncing back. “An immigrant who lost 90% of his wealth… to bounce back today and being able to bring the biggest independent production in the world, the Ramayana, I can’t even tell you what it feels like to stand here today,” he said.
During the event, Malhotra brought his core team on stage, introducing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. He praised the international collaboration behind the epic, which features a musical score by Oscar-winner Hans Zimmer and movement direction by Terry Notary.
“I stand here to showcase the best of India and the best of the west working together to create a motion picture that means more to billions of people around the world than you all can imagine,” Malhotra emphasized.
Produced by Prime Focus Studios, DNEG, and Monster Mind Creations, Ramayana: Part 1 is set for release on November 5, 2026, with Part 2 planned for Diwali 2027 across multiple languages, distributed globally by Sony Pictures. Stay tuned to know more about it only with us.
