Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday showered praise on Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming film Ramayana, expressing confidence that the project has the potential to earn global recognition, including an Academy Award.

Speaking at the inauguration of Prime Focus Studio, founded by producer Namit Malhotra, Fadnavis said he would consider it a failure on the part of the Oscars jury if the film did not receive the prestigious honour.

"I would be disappointed with the Academy jury if Ramayana does not win an Oscar. This is not merely a film of a decade; it is a cinematic project of the millennium," the Chief Minister said.

His comments come shortly after the makers unveiled the release schedule for the highly anticipated adaptation of the Indian epic.

Fadnavis had earlier praised the scale and ambition of the project during the Waves Summit 2025 in Mumbai. Addressing Malhotra at the event, he said India's storytelling traditions stretch back thousands of years and that combining those narratives with modern technology could help introduce them to younger generations.

Recalling his visit to the film's pavilion along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Fadnavis said he was impressed by the visual quality and technical standards of the production. He added that such projects could redefine how Indian stories are presented on the global stage.

Two-Part Release Planned

Backed by producer Namit Malhotra and directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana will arrive in cinemas in two parts. The first instalment is scheduled to release worldwide on November 6, 2026, just ahead of Diwali, while the second chapter is expected to hit theatres during the festive season in 2027.

Sony Pictures confirmed the release date on social media, describing the project as an epic cinematic journey designed for audiences around the world.

English Trailer Sparks Buzz

Alongside the announcement, the makers also launched an English-language version of the trailer, featuring characters speaking in English rather than simply dubbing the original footage.

The trailer generated widespread discussion online, with some users speculating that advanced artificial intelligence tools may have been used to create the dialogue. However, the production team has not officially commented on the technology involved.

The footage begins with Yash's Ravana proclaiming his dominance over the three worlds before Lord Vishnu takes the form of Ram to restore balance. It introduces Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita, while Ravie Dubey appears as Lakshman.

The narrative follows Ram's exile, Sita's abduction and the eventual clash between Ram and Ravana, setting the stage for one of India's most celebrated stories.

Ranbir Kapoor On Bringing Ramayana To The Screen

Earlier, Ranbir Kapoor acknowledged the challenge of adapting a story as vast as Ramayana into just two films. He said the epic's scale could easily justify a much longer series of movies.

The actor also rejected the notion that the ancient tale requires modern reinterpretation to resonate with contemporary audiences, arguing that its themes of courage, sacrifice, compassion and the triumph of good over evil remain timeless.

The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman.