'There's too much sensitivity in religion': 'Ramayana' producer Namit Malhotra opens up on faith vs box office

The teaser of ‘Ramayana’, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, recently created a strong buzz online. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the ambitious project has been mounted on a massive scale. While many viewers were impressed by the film’s vision, others questioned aspects like its VFX and casting choices, sparking debate across social media.Addressing the ongoing conversations with NDTV, Namit Malhotra spoke about handling the delicate balance between business and faith. He said, “Because in the world of religion, there's too much translation and too much sensitivity. This is truly what I think is a foundational piece of Indian culture, and that's why I feel very comfortable with it, because that's something that we carry with pride. We celebrate it. We share with the world.” He further emphasised that his focus isn’t driven by numbers. “As far as the business side is concerned, this question has been asked of me a few times, but bringing a film like ‘Ramayana’ to the world after having been third generation in the business is a privilege, is an opportunity. So at this point in time, I'm less focused on the business side, but the passion of telling this and showing this to the world has really usurped my senses,” he added.For the producer, the priority lies in doing justice to the story rather than chasing commercial success. “I'm much more, at heart, trying to do the justice I can to a film or a story of this size, such that it really resonates in the hearts of people, at which point the business is done. Business will not be the issue,” he explained. His vision reflects a commitment to storytelling that connects emotionally before translating into box office numbers.Speaking about the cultural roots of the story, Malhotra also highlighted the significance of ‘Diwali’. “Diwali, the quintessential, biggest celebration of Indian holiday, is nothing but the story of Lord Ram coming back after being exiled for 14 years and being victorious when he comes back with his wife. That is Diwali,” he shared.He continued, “That is the celebration of light, good over evil. So, it really is formative in the fundamentals of Indian culture. So, that part is easy because it's very inclusive. It's very open. It's diverse enough that you can be of any colour, caste, or person in the world, and it welcomes you right in, which is incredibly powerful.” ‘Ramayana’ is slated for a grand release during Diwali 2026. Alongside Ranbir Kapoor, the film features a stellar ensemble including Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol, and Ravie Dubey, making it one of the most anticipated cinematic spectacles in the coming year.