Sunny Deol appears as Lord Hanuman in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming epic Ramayana, which producer Namit Malhotra announced will expand into a multi-project universe featuring around 5 spin-off projects, alongside a global theatrical release scheduled to begin on November 5, 2026.
The first look of Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman made its public debut during an event in Hyderabad, where filmmakers pulled back the curtain on a much larger cinematic roadmap. Rather than concluding with a two-part retelling of the epic, the production team laid out plans for an interconnected universe centered on key figures from the saga. A previously unseen video showcased at the gathering introduced around 5 planned spin-off projects dedicated to Surpanakha, Jatayu, Indrajit, and Angad, alongside Hanuman’s standalone journey according to the unveiled preview materials. While executives did not clarify whether these subsequent entries would take the form of feature films or episodic series, they stressed that the initial double-feature serves purely as an entry point for a sprawling narrative canvas.
We’re looking to make sure that we don’t stop. The idea is not to make one or two movies and stop the journey of Ramayana. In fact, it is to start the journey.
Namit Malhotra, Producer via Indiatimes
Sony and Dharma Manage Global Release in 40 Languages
Mounting an international release of this scale has required a localization effort across multiple continents. Trade sources indicate that the production has been dubbed in nearly 40 languages worldwide, allowing audiences across different regions to experience the dialogue natively rather than depending entirely on subtitles. International distribution responsibilities are divided between Dharma handling domestic markets in India and Sony Pictures overseeing international territories. The global rollout has been shaped by promotion at major industry gatherings such as CinemaCon 2026 and San Diego Comic-Con according to insider accounts from the production team.
Producer Namit Malhotra and the core team of Ramayana are determined to make it the biggest release ever for an Indian film. They have been working towards this goal for a long time. The film’s promotion at CinemaCon 2026 and San Diego Comic-Con was a step in that direction. Getting Sony Pictures on board for international distribution was also a huge shot in the arm.
Trade source, via Bollywoodhungama
Film Opens November 5 2026 During Diwali Window
The first part of the mythological epic is locked for a worldwide arrival during the Diwali corridor, though the precise calendar dates required careful navigation of holiday box-office norms. Following a period of schedule speculation regarding whether the film would debut immediately before or directly on the festival day, the rollout plan is set to begin with paid previews on November 4, 2026, followed by an official opening day on November 5, 2026. This strategy places the debut in the pre-Diwali window—traditionally viewed as a slower box-office stretch—though trade analysts point to recent successes like the 2024 holiday releases of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again as proof that strong initial demand can carry a major title through the pre-holiday period before box office numbers surge in the post-Diwali phase.
| Territory | Release Schedule |
|---|---|
| India | Previews on November 4; Opening Day on November 5, 2026 |
| North America | Previews on November 4; Opening Day on November 5, 2026 |
| Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Germany, Rest of Europe, Latin America | Opening Day on November 5, 2026 |
| United Kingdom, South Africa, Mauritius | Scheduled for November 6, 2026 |
| East Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong) | To Be Determined (TBD) |
Nitesh Tiwari Directs Ensemble Cast for Two Part Saga
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari—of the 2016 film Dangal fame—the production brings together a high-profile ensemble cast alongside its technical crew. The core cast features Ranbir Kapoor in the role of Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash portraying Ravana, Sunny Deol stepping in as Lord Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey appearing as Lakshman as confirmed by production updates. Rahman and Hans Zimmer. While the opening instalment arrives in cinemas for the 2026 holiday season, the second part of the saga is already slated to follow during the Diwali window in 2027. Meanwhile, domestic advance ticket sales for the first film will open across India on the festival of Dussehra, October 20, 2026.
More on Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman first look 🔥A spin off on hanuman is also announced in the event.From today's Hyderabad event…#Ramayana pic.twitter.com/MStDZHE3hW
SUNNY DEOL will lead RAMAYANA as Lord HANUMAN JI pic.twitter.com/5NLLedFxks