--- canonical: "https://ramayana.com/ramayana-movie" lang: "en" --- # Ramayana (2026 film): the original story behind it We have not seen the makers of *Ramayana: Rise of a Legend* name a single text as the source of their screenplay. The story of Shri Ram is told in the Valmiki Ramayana by Maharshi Valmiki, retold in the Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas, and shared through many regional Ramayanas. Every screen adaptation draws upon this shared story. For those who come from the trailer or the cinema, the scripture is the next place to turn. It gives us time to dwell on Shri Ram's conduct, Mata Sita's devotion, Bharat's refusal of power and Hanumanji's service. We begin by following what happens. As we read, we also learn how to live. ## About the film - **Title and parts:** *Ramayana: Rise of a Legend* is Part 1 of a two-part film. - **Director:** Nitesh Tiwari. - **Producers:** Namit Malhotra and Yash, through Prime Focus Studios, Monster Mind Creations and DNEG. - **Cast:** Ranbir Kapoor as Shri Ram, Sai Pallavi as Mata Sita, Yash as Ravan, Sunny Deol as Hanumanji and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. - **Release:** In cinemas worldwide from 5 November 2026, for Diwali, including IMAX. It premiered in Los Angeles on 27 October 2026. - **Part 2:** Filming has begun. It was announced for Diwali 2027, and reports in October 2026 suggest it may move later. Many readers know the story through Ramanand Sagar's *Ramayan* television serial of 1987 or the animated *Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama* of 1992, the screen Ramayanas they grew up with. Ramayana.com is independent of the film and is not affiliated with its makers. ## The story the film is telling The full story unfolds across seven kands. The account below follows the Ramcharitmanas. These are the divisions of the scripture, rather than a confirmed account of how the filmmakers divide their two parts. **Bal Kand** opens with invocations and the conversations through which the story is told. Goswami Tulsidas recounts Shiva and Sati before turning to Ayodhya, where Shri Ram and His brothers are born to King Dashrath. Shri Ram accompanies the sage Vishwamitra, and the story moves through Ahilya's episode to Mata Sita's swayamvar. He breaks Shiva's bow, and the wedding takes place at Janakpur. **Ayodhya Kand** brings a sudden change to the preparations for Shri Ram's coronation. Prompted by Manthara, Kaikeyi asks Dashrath to fulfil two boons, sending Shri Ram into exile for fourteen years. Mata Sita and Lakshman accompany Him, and Kevat ferries them across the Ganga. Dashrath dies. Bharat refuses the throne and meets Shri Ram at Chitrakoot, accepting His paduka as the authority under which he serves. **Aranya Kand** follows their forest life at Panchavati. Shurpanakha's arrival and the appearance of the golden deer lead towards Ravan's abduction of Mata Sita. Jatayu fights to protect her and gives his life. Amid the sorrow of separation, Shabari's hospitality brings devotion into view through a simple act of welcome. The forest holds both suffering and opportunities to serve the Lord. **Kishkindha Kand** brings Shri Ram into the company of Hanumanji and Sugriv. Shri Ram kills Bali, and the narrative pauses through the monsoon at Kishkindha before the search parties set out for Mata Sita. When the search demands strength that Hanumanji has yet to use, Jamvant reminds him of his power. This prepares the way for the leap across the sea. **Sunderkand** follows Hanumanji into Lanka, where he meets Vibhishan and finds Mata Sita in the Ashok Vatika. He gives her Shri Ram's ring, bringing assurance in her distress. After burning Lanka, he returns with her message. Vibhishan then surrenders to Shri Ram, and Shri Ram asks the ocean for a way across. Courage and devotion take the form of service throughout this kand. **Lanka Kand** carries the story across the bridge and into war. Kumbhkaran and Meghnad enter the conflict, Lakshman is wounded, and Hanumanji brings the Sanjivani. Ravan falls, and Vibhishan is crowned. In Goswami Tulsidas's telling, the fire ordeal restores the real Mata Sita, who has been kept with Agni. Shri Ram returns to Ayodhya with her by the Pushpak, and His coronation follows. **Uttar Kand** turns from the coronation to Ram Rajya and the teaching of devotion. Through the conversations of Kakbhushundi and Garuda, the reader considers the meaning of the story already heard. The praise of bhakti and the Name gives this final kand its direction. Having followed Shri Ram's deeds, we are shown the practice through which remembrance of Him enters daily life. ## Where to read the original Begin with the [Ramcharitmanas](/ramcharitmanas) for Goswami Tulsidas's Awadhi text, with Hindi commentary and English translation, verse by verse. This is the Ramayana that most Hindi-speaking families read and recite. In everyday speech in north India, “Ramayan” usually refers to this work. For Maharshi Valmiki's Sanskrit epic, open the [Valmiki Ramayana](/valmiki-ramayana), available with Hindi or English meaning across all seven kandas. To read Hanumanji's service in Lanka as a complete, shorter passage, turn to [Sunderkand](/sunderkand). Both works are free to read here, without advertising. ## After the film, start here For Hindi readers, Sunderkand offers a welcoming first reading. Its sixty dohas hold Hanumanji's leap, his meeting with Mata Sita and his return to Shri Ram. Read a little, attend to the meaning, and continue from there. For English readers, begin with Bal Kand in the Ramcharitmanas reader. Starting at the beginning lets the invocations and frame stories prepare us for Shri Ram's birth and the events that follow. To keep reading on your phone, the free [Ramayan app](/app) includes both scriptures, offline reading, bookmarks and reading plans. ## Questions people ask ### Which Ramayana is the 2026 movie based on? The makers have not named one text as the source of the screenplay. Maharshi Valmiki's Sanskrit Ramayana tells the story, and Goswami Tulsidas retells it in the Awadhi Ramcharitmanas. Many regional Ramayanas also carry it. We should therefore avoid presenting either text as the film's confirmed sole source. ### Is the Ramcharitmanas the same as the Valmiki Ramayana? They tell the story of Shri Ram, but they are distinct works. The Valmiki Ramayana is Maharshi Valmiki's Sanskrit epic, traditionally called the Adi Kavya, the first poem. The Ramcharitmanas is Goswami Tulsidas's sixteenth-century retelling in Awadhi. Both have seven main divisions, with differences in their telling and emphasis. ### Where can I read the Ramayana in English? You can read the [Ramcharitmanas with English translation](/ramcharitmanas) alongside its original Awadhi text. You can also read the [Valmiki Ramayana with English meaning](/valmiki-ramayana) alongside the Sanskrit. Both are available in full on Ramayana.com. Choose one and begin with its opening kand, allowing time to understand each passage. ### Should I read Sunderkand first? Sunderkand is a suitable beginning, especially for Hindi readers familiar with its recitation. It is the fifth kand of the Ramcharitmanas and is often read on its own. It follows Hanumanji's service to Shri Ram and Mata Sita. After reading it, return to Bal Kand to follow the whole story. ### When does the Ramayana movie release? Part 1, titled *Ramayana: Rise of a Legend*, releases worldwide on 5 November 2026, for Diwali, including IMAX. Nitesh Tiwari directs the film. The story is planned across two parts, with Part 2 announced for Diwali 2027. --- Ramayana.com, a free, ad-free project of Ved Vyas Foundation.