3 weeks ago
Mahabharat Star Gajendra Chauhan Questions Ramayana Film's Anglicized Title
A big new movie called Ramayana is being made about an ancient Indian story.
An actor named Gajendra Chauhan, who was in a famous TV show called Mahabharat, does not like the movie's name.
He thinks it should be called 'Ramayan,' not 'Ramayana.'
He believes the name was changed to sound more English so people around the world would like it.
The movie is being directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
It is very expensive to make, about Rs 4,000 crore, which is around $500 million.
The music is being made together by two famous composers, AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
This is the first time they have worked together.
The first part of the movie will come out in October 2026, before Diwali.
The second part will come out in 2027, also around Diwali.
Gajendra Chauhan, known for Mahabharat, criticized the title of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, saying the word should be 'Ramayan.'
Chauhan accused makers of anglicizing the spellings of 'Ramayan' and Lord Ram's name to cater to a global audience.
Producer Namit Malhotra revealed the two-part film's budget is around $500 million (over Rs 4,000 crore).
AR Rahman and Oscar-winning Hans Zimmer are collaborating on the music for the first time.
Part one releases worldwide in October 2026 ahead of Diwali; part two is slated for Diwali 2027.
- Who
- Mahabharat actor Gajendra Chauhan; director Nitesh Tiwari; producer Namit Malhotra; composers AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
- What
- Chauhan criticized the anglicized title of the Ramayana film, while the makers revealed details about its budget and music.
- Where
- India — the film is an Indian production planned for worldwide release; the interview location was not specified.
- When
- Chauhan spoke in a recent conversation with Hindi Rush; the film's first part is scheduled for October 2026 and the second for Diwali 2027.
- Why
- Chauhan believes the title 'Ramayana' and the spelling of Lord Ram's name were anglicized to appeal to a global audience.
Preserve Original Indian Naming
Global Ambition
Anglicized Title 'Ramayana'
Preserve Original Indian Naming
Gajendra Chauhan argues the film should use 'Ramayan' and 'Ram,' saying the makers anglicized the spellings to cater to a global audience.
Global Ambition
Producer Namit Malhotra emphasizes the film is being made for the world, calling it 'the largest film in the world for the greatest epic,' though he did not directly address the title spelling.
Language of Expression
Preserve Original Indian Naming
Chauhan notes that even Hindi film workers speak English, pointing out that gratitude to a guru is conveyed in English, implying a dilution of Indian identity.
Global Ambition
Malhotra frames the global scale as ambition, insisting the production is 'ambitious, but grounded' and made efficiently compared to Hollywood films.
Key facts
- Film
- Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari
- Budget
- Around $500 million (over Rs 4,000 crore) for both parts
- Producer
- Namit Malhotra
- Composers
- AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer (first collaboration)
- Part 1 Release
- October 2026, ahead of Diwali (worldwide)
- Part 2 Release
- Diwali 2027
- Critic
- Gajendra Chauhan, known for Mahabharat
- Reference Used
- Chauhan cited Lagaan, which kept its original title
Quotes
Gajendra Chauhan
Actor known for Mahabharat and other Hindi films
“"What is Ramayana? It is Ramayan. What is Rama? It's Ram."”
NDTV
A.R. Rahman
Indian composer and music director collaborating with Hans Zimmer
“"It's terrifying for both of us. We're scoring something so iconic and so important to the world."”
NDTV
Sources
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