Several Ramayana adaptations featuring Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn and Hrithik Roshan were announced over three decades but never reached theatres due to production and financial hurdles
Before director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana starring Ranbir Kapoor moved into production, multiple Bollywood adaptations of the Hindu epic were announced but remained incomplete. Projects involving Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn and Hrithik Roshan were shelved at different stages because of reported production, scripting, scheduling and financial issues.
NewsFlash Desk: Director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is set to become one of the biggest mythological film projects in Indian cinema. Before the Ranbir Kapoor-led adaptation entered production, at least three major Bollywood attempts to bring the epic to the big screen were announced over the past three decades. However, each project was shelved before release due to a combination of reported production challenges, scheduling conflicts, script-related issues and financial constraints.
Salman Khan's Ramayan Stopped During Production
One of the earliest planned adaptations reportedly began in the early 1990s under the direction of Sohail Khan. The film was expected to feature Salman Khan as Lord Ram and Sonali Bendre as Goddess Sita.
Reports at the time suggested that around 40 per cent of the film had already been shot, with Salman Khan also participating in promotional photo shoots in costume.
According to industry reports, the project was later discontinued following internal disagreements related to the production. Reports also claimed that changes proposed to the script and developments involving members of the creative team contributed to the decision to shelve the film. These claims have not been independently verified.
Ajay Devgn's Ramayan Remained in Pre-Production
Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi also announced a large-scale adaptation of Ramayan during the mid-2000s. The proposed cast included Ajay Devgan as Lord Ram, Kajol as Goddess Sita, Riteish Deshmukh as Lakshman and Prakash Raj as Ravana.
According to reports, the project did not move beyond pre-production. Industry reports attributed the delay to the film's estimated production cost and the difficulty of coordinating shooting schedules for several leading actors.
The project was eventually shelved before filming could begin.
Hrithik Roshan's The Legend of Rama Did Not Go on Floors
In 2008, actor-filmmaker Sanjay Khan announced The Legend of Rama, a mythological film reportedly planned with an estimated budget of Rs. 50 crore.
The announced cast included Hrithik Roshan as Lord Ram, Zayed Khan as Lakshman and Amitabh Bachchan as King Dashrath.
According to reports, the project faced repeated script revisions and financing challenges. Delays in finalising the screenplay reportedly affected production schedules, while funding requirements remained unresolved.
The film did not progress beyond its planning stage.
Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana Set for Two-Part Release
Director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is now moving ahead as a two-part film series.
The makers have scheduled Ramayana: Part 1 for a worldwide theatrical release on November 8, 2026, during the Diwali period, while Part 2 is planned for release during Diwali 2027.
Ramayana Cast Includes Actors From Multiple Film Industries
The film features actors from Hindi, Kannada and Telugu cinema.
The announced cast includes:
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram
- Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita
- Yash as Ravana
- Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman
- Ravi Dubey as Lakshman
- Arun Govil as King Dashrath
Yash is also associated with the project as a co-producer.
Ramayana Budget, Music and Production Details
According to the makers, the combined budget for both films is estimated at around ₹4,000 crore (approximately $500 million), making it one of the costliest Indian film productions.
Visual effects are being created by DNEG, while the music is being composed by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
The film has been shot for IMAX presentation, and the production team has stated that nearly half of Part 2 was filmed alongside Part 1 to maintain continuity between the two releases.
The first part of the film will focus on the early life of Lord Ram, his marriage to Sita, exile and Sita's abduction. The second instalment will depict the formation of the army, the crossing to Lanka and the war against Ravana.
