There’s a veritable excitement around the release of Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana. And it has to do with the casting coup of bringing together Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash. Beyond the star-studded aura of this project though is an excitement to watch a timeless classic, a mythological epic unfold on the big screen. Ramayana, thanks to Ramanand Sagar and Arun Govil, has become a part of Indian mainstream culture in the last 4 decades. But that 1987 TV series is etched in the memory of almost every Indian viewer and the biggest task for 2026’s retelling is going to be to impress this very large diaspora of an audience. If the 2.5-minute preview of Ramayana is anything to go by, this very committed and invested audience will get a never-seen-before experience with a film that looks as impressive as any multi-million dollar Hollywood epic. If not better.

One is not trying to oversell this ambitious project. The first visuals of this fantasy, mythology epic, which were shown to a select section of the Indian media yesterday at producer Namit Malhotra’s Mumbai home, are genuinely mind blowing. The 3D depth and wide-frame treatment look immersive and captivating. The thunderous soundscape adds the requisite depth to this epic. Everything feels big, better and majestic. And at the heart of this epic feeling is Ranbir Kapoor’s first glimpses as Lord Rama. As the actor, dressed up in regal kingly attire, walks in to the frame of the film, the radiance on his face shines brighter than Malhotra’s and Tiwari’s 1000s of crores worth production finesse. It looks like Ranbir was tailor made to fit into this role. Atleast, his first visage does that. 

A person close to the project revealed at the screening, Ranbir has moulded not just body and mind, but his very soul to embody this performance of Lord Rama. He’s been very conscious of the fact that Indians adore and worship Lord Rama and that he’s going to have to live up to great expectations. He has changed his mindset, his habits and his persona to become this character and it shows on the big screen. The slow panning camera frames allow the performance to shine through. And if this first glimpse of Ranbir’s Rama is the trailer of what’s to come, then the prospect of watching Sai Pallavi’s Sita and Yash’s Ravana is going to be a blitzkrieg of excitement. 

What the Ramayana first glimpse asset reveals is impressive, but what it conceals is even more exciting. We get glimpses of Sai Pallavi, Yash and Ravie Dubey (playing the role of Laxman) and their silhouetted glimpses look spectacular. What also adds to the expectations of this project is the fact that director Nitesh Tiwari has had a promising track record with films like Dangal and Chhichhore. He took years to craft Dangal along with Aamir Khan and it yielded fantastic results. So the fact that he’s been quietly collaborating with Ranbir, Malhotra, Sai, Yash and others on Ramayana is in itself an exciting proposition.

The same assets will be screened for a wider section of the media, fans and social media influencers today at a Mumbai event. The same has been done in the US, where Malhotra,  Tiwari and Kapoor hosted similar screenings in New York and Los Angeles. Yesterday’s Mumbai screening also had a wide section of media flown in from Hyderabad. The feedback from various corners seemed to be in sync. This version of Ramayana has the potential to be another timeless epic. 

Ramayana is slated to release in two parts. Part 1 is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release while Part 2 is being prepped for a Diwali 2027 release. 

Also Read: Namit Malhotra Announces Big Update For Ramayana: Ranbir Kapoor’s Rama Glimpse To Release On April 2

After a short spell of uncertainty, Patriot is back on course with a confirmed new release plan. The makers recently postponed the film from its earlier scheduled date, citing unforeseen circumstances, a move widely understood to be linked to the ongoing tensions in West Asia that have affected distribution across GCC markets.

Release Back on Track After Brief Uncertainty

For Malayalam cinema, overseas territories, particularly in the Middle East, play a crucial role in box office performance. Rather than risk a fragmented rollout, the team appears to have opted for a more strategic delay, ensuring a smoother and more coordinated global release.

Directed by Mahesh Narayanan, Patriot marks a long-awaited reunion between Mammootty and Mohanlal, a pairing that has historically carried both star value and cultural weight. The film is positioned as a political spy thriller, with its teaser already hinting at a narrative driven by power struggles, covert operations and high-stakes conflict.

The revised plan now places the film in direct competition with Joju George’s Varavu, directed by Shaji Kailas, setting up an interesting box office clash.

A Trailer Launch Designed as a Fan Event

Even before its release, Patriot is pushing the envelope with its promotional strategy. The film’s trailer will be unveiled not through a standard online drop, but via simultaneous screenings at two major theatres in Kerala.

Mohanlal will attend the event at Kavitha Theatre in Ernakulam, while Mammootty will be present at Ragam Theatre in Thrissur, interacting with fans at their respective venues. This marks the first time in Malayalam cinema that two superstars will launch a film’s trailer in parallel at different locations, turning the occasion into a large-scale theatrical celebration.

The move also signals a conscious effort to bring audiences into cinema halls even before the film’s release, reinforcing the big-screen experience as central to the film’s identity. Previously, Mammootty had attended the trailer launch of L2: Empuraan, starring Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran, but that event was held in a private auditorium. Patriot, in contrast, is taking the spectacle directly to the public.

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Ensemble Cast, Backed by a Strong Crew

Alongside Mammootty and Mohanlal, Patriot features a robust ensemble cast led by Fahadh Faasil as the antagonist. The film also stars Nayanthara, Kunchacko Boban, Darshana Rajendran, Revathy, Rajeev Menon and Grace Antony in key roles.

On the technical front, the film brings together a seasoned crew. Cinematography is handled by Manush Nandan, while music is composed by Sushin Shyam. Editing duties are shared between Mahesh Narayanan and Rahul Radhakrishnan. The action choreography is led by a team comprising Dhilip Subbarayan, Stunt Silva, Mafia Sasi and Riyas-Habib, suggesting a film mounted with both scale and intensity.

Produced by Anto Joseph and KG Anil Kumar, with CR Salim and Subhash Manuel as co-producers, the film is being positioned as a pan-market entertainer that blends narrative depth with spectacle.

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A Busy Slate for Mohanlal

The release of Patriot comes at a time when Mohanlal is set to dominate screens with multiple projects. The actor is also expected to headline Drishyam 3, directed by Jeethu Joseph, while Drishyam 2 is preparing for its first theatrical outing after its initial direct-to-digital release.

This cluster of releases places the superstar at the forefront of the box office conversation, with Patriot expected to be one of the biggest draws among them.

Momentum Builds Ahead of Release

With its release plan now locked and a unique promotional rollout in motion, Patriot has managed to convert its delay into an advantage. The combination of star power, genre appeal and a theatre-first marketing approach has only heightened anticipation.

As the countdown begins, the film stands poised to deliver not just a major box office opening, but also a moment that celebrates the scale and collective experience of Malayalam cinema.

Also Read: Mammootty Returns to Set for Mahesh Narayanan’s Patriot

The 2004 blockbuster Main Hoon Na remains a cult favourite for its music, action, and the chemistry between its cast. While the film marked the successful directorial debut of Farah Khan, it wasn’t without its high-pressure moments. Zayed Khan, who played the character Lucky, recently shared an interesting anecdote about a time Farah got angry with him during the shoot. During a recent conversation with Zoom, Zayed recalled a specific day of filming that might have sparked the old rumours of a rift between him and Farah. The team was shooting a dance sequence at a high altitude, where low oxygen levels and physical exhaustion were making things difficult for everyone.

Zayed explained that they were shooting on celluloid, and the camera was panning toward him after multiple takes. Amidst the chaos, a background dancer suddenly collapsed. Reacting naturally, Zayed stopped the performance to help the dancer, even though others suggested they keep dancing around him. Zayed recalled, “I stopped and tried to help him. Someone even suggested we continue dancing around him, which I refused. At that point, I said ‘cut’, and Farah immediately said, ‘Nobody says cut on my set.’ I told her, ‘This guy is in trouble.’ She warned me, ‘Next time you say cut, I’m going to chop you off.

Despite this stern warning, Zayed clarified that there was no lasting tension. He described the set as a warm environment where the cast and crew felt like a family. To blow off steam after hectic shoots, the team would gather on weekends to mimic people and bond over shared laughs.

Zayed also spoke fondly of his experience working with Shah Rukh Khan. He mentioned that he interfered with his acting process, making the experience very pleasant. However, he did highlight SRK’s famous competitive streak, specifically when it came to video games. The duo would play FIFA for hours, often from 7 PM to 11 PM. Zayed joked that while he believes he was the better player, Shah Rukh would never admit defeat, often playing until he managed to win again.

Also Read: Farah Khan is planning to make a sequel to this hit movie!