Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash starrer gets a specially edited international version without songs; Part 1 arrives this Diwali
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is taking an unconventional route to its global theatrical rollout. In a strategic move aimed at catering to different viewing preferences, the much-awaited epic will reportedly arrive in distinct versions for Indian and international audiences, with the English cut running approximately 30 minutes shorter than the Hindi version.
According to the latest KBP REVIEW report, the makers will remove the songs and trim select portions from the international cut to create a tighter, more streamlined narrative. The Hindi version, meanwhile, will retain the film’s larger musical sequences, which form an important part of the Indian theatrical experience.
The strategy reflects a simple difference in viewing preferences. Indian audiences have traditionally embraced longer theatrical spectacles featuring songs, elaborate musical sequences and extended emotional passages. For international audiences, the makers believe a more concise presentation could allow the story to move at a faster pace without compromising its central narrative.
The songs, therefore, will continue to enhance the storytelling in the Indian version, while the English cut will prioritise narrative momentum.
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Why The English Cut Matters
The international version assumes added importance because Ramayana is targeting viewers who may have limited familiarity with the story. The English cut will retain the same core characters, emotional arcs and History, but the tighter edit should allow international viewers to move through the narrative more efficiently.
The approach also fits the global scale of the production.
More than 10,000 people from different parts of the world have reportedly contributed to Ramayana, with international technicians, artists and VFX specialists working across multiple departments. The film’s international ambitions extend well beyond its language strategy.
A Six-Hour Epic Across Two Films
Ranbir Kapoor has previously revealed that the two-part Ramayana will have a combined runtime of approximately six hours. The actor has also compared the scale and ambition of the project with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings.
Part 1 is scheduled to arrive during Diwali 2026, with Part 2 planned for Diwali 2027. Both films are being positioned as worldwide theatrical events, with the international market playing a key role in the overall strategy.
Film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, alongside a large ensemble cast.
The Music Will Remain Central To The Indian Cut
While the English version will reportedly remove the songs, music remains an integral part of the Indian theatrical experience.
Ramayana brings together A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, creating a high-profile musical collaboration that has already generated considerable curiosity. The makers have released the first song, “Jai Jai Ram,” featuring Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, with lyrics by Dr. Kumar Vishwas and music by A.R. Rahman.The track offers audiences their first glimpses of Ranbir and Sai Pallavi as Ram and Sita while introducing several important characters from the epic.
Reports have also highlighted the extensive effort behind the song, with Arijit Singh reportedly recording nearly 200 takes to achieve the desired devotional tone. The contrast between the two versions is therefore quite deliberate. Indian audiences will receive the fuller musical experience, while international viewers will get a more concise narrative-driven cut.
Building ‘Ramayana’ For A Global Audience
What sets Ramayana apart from a conventional big-budget Bollywood production is the international infrastructure behind it.
Producer Namit Malhotra has repeatedly spoken about bringing together talent from across the world for the project. Teams across India, Europe, North America and Australia have contributed to different aspects of the production, while DNEG is handling the extensive visual-effects work.
The makers are also preparing the film for a worldwide IMAX release, underlining their intention to create a large-format theatrical spectacle.
Instead of forcing one version of the film to serve every market, the team is attempting to preserve the expansive Indian experience while making the international version more accessible to audiences unfamiliar with Indian cinematic storytelling.
