Ranbir Kapoor and Yash Bring Rama and Ravana to “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend”

Director Nitesh Tiwari explores duty, pride, and the choices that place the two characters on opposing paths.

Ranbir Kapoor and Yash face off as Rama and Ravana in “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend,” opening exclusively at SM Cinemas on November 5, 2026, according to Columbia Pictures’ supplied announcement.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film adapts the Ramayana, placing the conflict between its central figures within a story of love, devotion, duty, and revenge.

Kapoor plays Rama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu whose actions are shaped by duty and selflessness. Yash portrays Ravana, the king of Lanka whose pride and pursuit of revenge lead him to abduct Rama’s wife.

Kapoor on the responsibility of playing Rama

For Kapoor, portraying a revered figure meant approaching the role with an awareness of what the character represents to audiences.

He described Rama’s story as one involving choices between personal desire and duty, compassion and revenge.

The production also overlapped with a personal change: becoming a father. Kapoor said he began telling his daughter stories from the Ramayana while performing them for the film, describing the experience as a period of spiritual growth.

Tiwari praised the actor’s humility in approaching the role and his focus on Rama’s intent and sacrifice.

Looking beyond Ravana’s power

Yash’s portrayal explores a character whose abilities coexist with destructive choices.

Tiwari described Ravana as a warrior, musician, and scholar, explaining that these qualities were important to the film’s interpretation. His point is that talent and accomplishment do not prevent pride and vengeance from shaping a person’s actions.

Yash likewise recalled how the character stayed with him from childhood, including the warning that intelligence and ability can be directed toward dangerous beliefs.

The film brings those contrasting paths together through its central conflict. For audiences, the story’s focus extends beyond the confrontation to the values and choices driving it.

Watch the official trailer and check SM Cinemas for screening schedules.

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