Why Ramayana and Varanasi are going to be Make it Or Break it for Indian Cinema?

 The next 2-3 years is going to be make it or break it for Indian Cinema. With films like Namit Malhotra's Ramayana and S S Rajamouli's Varanasi, audiences' expectations are at an all-time high. Since both films are aiming for global reach and have gigantic budgets, the pressure on the makers to meet expectations and deliver a larger-than-life spectacle is growing with each passing day. 

As of 2026, we have Ramayana Part-1 releasing in the last quarter. The adaptation of Valmiki's Ramayana in today's modern times, with the latest technologies and ample budget for the two-part saga, if anything, less than best, will be a huge let-down. with the stellar star cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Shri Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravan, who will be supported by Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Laxman, Kunal Kapoor as Indra Dev, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, and Lara Dutta as Kaikey. The film's music will be created by music masters Hans Zimmer and A R Rehaman. 

With the previous ventures attempting to adapt Ramayan in the modern world has not been good at the box office. So now, when the makers are not adapting but making the exact Ramayan for the big screen is a challenge in itself.

While the audience was concerned about the product, the makers dropped the announcement video, which made sure to create positive hype in the audience with the VFX of the movie being done by DNEG. It has restored the faith of the audience. The makers are doing their best to maintain the hype before they release their next asset of the movie. Till then, keepin fingers crossed. 

On the other hand, we have S S Rajamouli's Varanasi, releasing next year, which is going to be a sci-fi action adventure that will be deeply rooted in mythology. The movie includes Mahesh Babu as Rudra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini and Pritviraj Sukumaran as Kumba. With M M Keeravani as Music Director, the audience can definitely expect some chartbuster songs.

Every Cinephile is holding on to their breath with each new update. Be it with the format it is being shot, i.e., 1.43:1 ( the true IMAX format), or with the cast & crew heading to Antarctica to shoot the sequence of the Ross Ice Shelf, which makes it the 1st Indian film & 5th film in the world to do so, one can expect a visually stunning and engaging storyline.

While the Director has clearly stated it is going to be a 1 part movie, after seeing the first glimpse, the audience feels it will have part 2, as they don't think such a story revolving around the globe and taking place in different timelines can be shown in just 1 film. 

Well, we will just have to wait and watch how both the movies deliver