Why Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana Starts With Yash’s Ravana Instead Of Ranbir’s Rama

Why Yash’s Ravana Battle Against Kubera At Mount Kailash Is The Ultimate Power Move For Ramayana Part 1

MUMBAI — Stop everything you are doing because the biggest cinematic explosion of 2026 just got a whole lot more intense. We all knew Nitesh Tiwari was cooking something massive with his Ramayana adaptation, but the latest leaks about the opening sequence have left fans absolutely floored. If you were expecting a peaceful introduction to Ayodhya or a sweet childhood montage of Lord Rama, think again.

The film is reportedly kicking off with a literal war in the heavens, and it’s all about the rise of the man of the moment—Yash.

A clash of titans at the top of the world

The scale here is truly mind-boggling. Instead of the traditional starting point, the movie begins with a high-octane battle between Ravana and the God of Wealth, Kubera.

For those who aren’t caught up on their mythology, Kubera isn’t just any deity; he’s Ravana’s half-brother and the original ruler of the golden city of Lanka. The film starts with Ravana seizing Lanka and then chasing Kubera all the way to Alakapuri, located near the sacred Mount Kailash. This is not just a fight; it’s a total declaration of dominance.

This move is a total game-changer for Indian cinema. By starting with Ravana’s conquest, the makers are giving us a “villain origin story” vibe that we usually only see in massive Hollywood franchises.

It establishes Yash’s Ravana as a force of nature before we even see our hero. We are talking about celestial weapons, divine landscapes, and a visual spectacle that only the geniuses at DNEG could pull off.

The long road to Diwali 2026

To understand why this is such a big deal, we have to look at the timeline. This project has been under wraps for years, with rumors flying about everything from the cast to the staggering budget of Rs 4000 crore. With Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus and Monster Mind Creations joining forces, the ambition here is to create a global IMAX phenomenon.

We already know Ranbir Kapoor is playing Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi is taking on the role of Sita, but this opening scene news proves that the first part of this two-part epic belongs heavily to the antagonist.

As per details shared by the production team and recent interactions at CinemaCon 2026, the first installment, titled Ramayana: Part One, is locked for a Diwali 2026 release. It’s a calculated risk to keep the two lead stars apart for so long, but it builds a tension that will surely pay off in the sequel.

The gamble of a Ravana-centric start

Does starting an epic titled Ramayana with the villain’s victory risk alienating traditional audiences who want to see the hero immediately?

It is a fascinating question that has sparked a massive debate among fans on social media. Some feel it might shift the balance too much towards the “dark side,” while others argue that for a talent like Yash, you need a grand, thunderous introduction that justifies his “Monster” persona. It’s a bold narrative choice that suggests this isn’t just a remake, but a deep dive into the complex politics of the Devas and Asuras.

Breaking down the evidence

The proof of this epic scale lies in the technical heavyweights involved. We have Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman collaborating on the score, which means that the Ravana-Kubera battle won’t just look incredible—it will sound like the end of the world.

During an interview at CinemaCon 2026, Yash himself confirmed a detail that has shocked many: he and Ranbir Kapoor do not share a single scene in Part 1.

He explained that Ravana has his own kingdom and Rama has his own world in this first chapter. They are two parallel lines that only converge as the story moves toward its climax in the second part, scheduled for Diwali 2027. This confirms that the Kubera battle is the primary “war” of the first movie, serving as the ultimate showcase for Ravana’s power.

This is going to be a long wait, but if this opening scene is even half as epic as it sounds, Diwali 2026 cannot come soon enough. Nitesh Tiwari isn’t just making a movie; he’s building a universe that finally gives the legendary King of Lanka the cinematic scale he deserves.