Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis backs Ramayana for Oscar, cites expectations
In India, there is a big state called Maharashtra with a leader called the Chief Minister.
His name is Devendra Fadnavis.
He went to the opening of a new movie studio in Mumbai.
There, he talked about a big new movie called Ramayana.
Ramayana is a very old and famous Indian story about a brave prince named Rama.
The Chief Minister said he would be very sad if the movie does not win an Oscar, which is a famous award for the best movies.
The movie has big actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash.
Some people said the movie looks amazing and beautiful.
Other people did not like some of the costumes and the actor chosen to play Rama.
The movie is so big that it will come in two parts, one in 2026 and one in 2027.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he would be disappointed if Ramayana does not win an Academy Award.
He spoke at the launch of Prime One, the first phase of Prime Focus Studio's expansion at Mumbai's Film City.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the two-part film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash and carries a Rs 4,000 crore budget.
Actor Nitish Bharadwaj called the film 'Oscar-worthy,' predicting a 100% Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
The trailer drew mixed reactions, earning praise for its scale but criticism over Ranbir Kapoor's casting and the costumes.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari, producer Namit Malhotra, and stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash.
- What
- Fadnavis backed the epic film Ramayana to win an Academy Award and inaugurated Prime One, Prime Focus Studio's new facility at Mumbai's Film City.
- When
- Thursday, at the Prime One launch; the film's first trailer had been released earlier on July 30.
- Where
- Mumbai's Film City, Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- Expectations are high that the grand, Rs 4,000 crore adaptation of Valmiki's epic can bring India an Oscar.
Supporters
Critics
Oscar prospects
Supporters
Fadnavis said he would be disappointed if Ramayana does not win an Academy Award, and Nitish Bharadwaj called the film 'Oscar-worthy,' predicting a 100% Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
Critics
The trailer received mixed reactions, with a section of viewers criticizing creative choices, suggesting not everyone shares the Oscar expectations.
Casting and costumes
Supporters
Nitish Bharadwaj praised Ranbir Kapoor's transformation, saying the actor is now 'at par with Ranveer Singh.'
Critics
A section of viewers criticized Ranbir Kapoor's casting as Lord Rama and costumes of Lara Dutta's Kaikeyi and Sai Pallavi's Sita as too contemporary for the ancient epic.
- Film
- Ramayana, a two-part adaptation of Valmiki's epic
- Director
- Nitesh Tiwari
- Producers
- DNEG (Namit Malhotra) with Monster Mind Creations
- Lead Cast
- Ranbir Kapoor (Rama), Sai Pallavi (Sita), Yash (Ravana)
- Budget
- Rs 4,000 crore
- Release Dates
- Part 1 - Diwali 2026; Part 2 - Diwali 2027
- Music Composers
- Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman
- Trailer Release
- July 30, during Brahma Muhurat; English version released a week later