The wait is almost over! Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is just a few hours away from making its theatrical debut, and excitement among fans is running high. Audiences are eager to explore the world of the epic and watch Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Maa Sita, Yash as Ravana and Ravie Dubey as Lakshmana.
However, those looking forward to witnessing the complete saga will have to wait longer than expected. Producer Namit Malhotra has confirmed that Ramayana Part 2, earlier scheduled for 2027, will now arrive in 2028.
Why Has Ramayana Part 2 Been Pushed to 2028?
In an interview with ETNews, Malhotra explained that the project has evolved considerably since its announcement. What began as an Indian film intended for international audiences has now taken a different shape, with the makers developing two distinct versions.
“When we announced the first part, we were thinking of it primarily as an Indian film going to the world. Through the evolution of the film, we’ve now come to a place where we actually have two master versions,” he said.
He further revealed that the English version required a separate edit and a rewrite of the original Hindi screenplay “so that it can be presented in its own original form.”
What Will the Two Parts of Ramayana Cover?
Malhotra also offered insights into the storytelling approach. The first instalment follows Lord Rama, the eldest of the four brothers, and his journey as an avatar of Lord Vishnu destined to confront Ravana.
The second chapter will take the story forward, focusing on Sita’s abduction and the growing conflict between Rama and Ravana.
Namit Malhotra Explains the Delay
The sequel was initially scheduled for a Diwali 2027 release. However, the team now believes that an additional year is necessary to complete the ambitious project without compromising its scale.
Malhotra said, “We want to take a little bit more time to make sure that when we present the grand finale,” he explained. “That extra year, I think, is what I genuinely believe we need to do justice to a film of this size, especially when you see part two coming in, that will be a whole other story of what happens there.”
The sequel will follow Rama’s mission to find Sita after Ravana abducts her. It will also explore the events that eventually lead to their much-awaited confrontation.
Stressing that the makers are unwilling to rush the conclusion, Malhotra added, “We didn’t want to do a rush job or get ahead of ourselves, and we wanted to make sure that we delivered the finale in as much grandeur as it deserves.”
Ramayana Part 3 Also Sparks Curiosity
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend will release in theatres on November 5. Apart from the lead cast, Sunny Deol will portray Lord Hanuman.
Meanwhile, speculation about a possible third instalment has added another layer of excitement. The makers have dropped hints about Ramayana Part 3 but are yet to officially confirm it. They have, however, not ruled out the possibility.
