After its Diwali theatrical run, Ramayana: Rise of the Legend will not simply join a streaming library. JioHotstar and Prime Focus Studios have announced a pay-per-view plan: once the cinema window ends, Indian viewers will be able to buy access to the film on demand.
A distinct digital window
The film is dated for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026, Diwali, with IMAX 3D and other premium formats. After that run, it will be sold on JioHotstar as a separate purchase rather than being part of the regular subscription catalogue at launch.
Nita M. Ambani, chairperson of JioStar, described the epic as “one of India’s greatest civilisational treasures” and said the collaboration is aimed at families and a new generation, including audiences who may not reach a cinema.
Why pay-per-view, not a library drop
Producer Namit Malhotra said the team wants the film experienced on the biggest screen possible, especially in IMAX 3D. But he also pointed out that India’s cinema infrastructure cannot reach everyone who holds the epic close. He added, “Ramayana belongs to every Indian, and our ambition must reflect that.”
The pay-per-view window is the bridge: it keeps the title premium after theatres while taking it into living rooms. Treating the film as a one-time purchase also changes the value conversation. A digital ticket is positioned against a cinema ticket, not against an all-you-can-watch monthly fee. That makes particular sense for a two-part epic that needs to stay event-sized ahead of its 2027 sequel.
The film at a glance
- Release: November 5, 2026, worldwide, Diwali
- Formats: IMAX 3D and premium cinema formats
- Languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English
- Digital: Pay-per-view on JioHotstar after the theatrical window
- Sequel: Planned for 2027
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the two-part live-action series stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. Shridhar Raghavan has adapted Valmiki’s epic, and the music brings together Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman. Prime Focus Studios produces with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.
For fans outside the metros, the pay-per-view route is a practical one: it offers a legitimate home-viewing option without waiting for a television premiere or a subscription drop. For everyone else, the theatrical-first plan is unchanged. Watch the scale in IMAX 3D on Diwali, or buy the digital window once it opens.
Source: Hindustan Times