However, according to a report by CNBC-TV18, just a few weeks before its release, the Income Tax Department reportedly launched searches at the Mumbai offices of the filmmaker’s company, Prime Focus Ltd. Filmmaker Namit Malhotra is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, Ramayana .
Founded by Namit Malhotra in 1997, Prime Focus Studios began in Mumbai and has since grown into a global company providing visual effects, post-production, animation and technology services to the film and television industries. Mounted on a reported budget of ₹ 4,000 crore, the film is said to be one of the most expensive and ambitious projects in Indian cinema. The film will release in two parts, with the first part hitting theatres on Diwali 2026.
Helmed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is an epic mythological film based on Valmiki’s ancient Sanskrit epic. The film is backed by Namit Malhotra and Yash under Prime Focus Studios, Monster Mind Creations and DNEG. It stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Yash as Ravana, along with Anupam Kher, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor, Adinath Kothare, Arun Govil, Indira Krishnan and Lara Dutta in key roles. Lord Vishnu, who’s the protector of all life, has to come as an avatar to bring balance and restore life back.
Talking about the film at San Diego Comic-Con, Namit said, “Ramayana is like Avatar meets Gladiator in the world of Lord of the Rings like so if you can put that together.
