📌 Key Points
- Yash and Namit Malhotra presented ‘Ramayana’ at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.
- Yash aims to humanize Ravana, making him relatable to audiences.
- The film’s visuals received mixed reactions, with some criticizing Western-inspired designs.
- ‘Ramayana’ boasts a $500 million budget, making it a landmark Indian film.
Yash, starring as Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana,’ addressed concerns about the film’s Western-inspired character designs at CinemaCon. He emphasized the need to make the epic relatable to a global, especially Western, audience, given its international ambitions.
Yash Defends ‘Ramayana’ at CinemaCon
As the promotions for Nitesh Tiwari’s epic Ramayana begin, producer Namit Malhotra and star Yash travelled to Las Vegas to present the film at the CinemaCon. At the annual cinema exhibition for theatre owners and the industry, they presented Ramayana Part One to the West. On the sidelines, the two explained the film’s vision and scale in various interviews.
Speaking to Reuters, Yash, who plays Ravana, explained how he has tried to bring nuance to the asura. “I have tried to internalise… the whole essence of Ravana and tried to make him as human as possible at times,” Yash said, adding that “it’s important for people to relate to him.”
Humanizing Ravana for Global Audiences
The film’s first glimpse, called the Rama glimpse, was unveiled globally earlier this month. While many praised the visual effects and scale, some criticised the character designs, particularly those of the asuras, for looking too Western-inspired. While talking about Ravana and the asuras’ depiction in the film, Yash added, “Since we have global ambitions, we need to make it familiar to a Western audience as well.”
Ramayana will be released in two parts, with a combined budget of up to $500 million, making it one of the most expensive film productions in the world and easily the most expensive Indian film by quite a distance.
A $500 Million Vision for the Epic
Ramayan Part One will be released globally on November 8, coinciding with Diwali. The second will come out in 2027. The films also star Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman.
With a massive budget and a global release planned, ‘Ramayana’ aims to redefine Indian cinema on the world stage. Yash’s vision for a relatable Ravana highlights the film’s ambition to connect with diverse audiences and cultures worldwide.
