Mumbai: OTT deals have become one of the hottest talking points in the run-up to big-ticket film releases. From record-breaking digital rights to strategic platform tie-ups, these deals often reflect a film’s scale, reach, and expectations. And now, Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, has entered the spotlight not just for its grand vision, but for a massive OTT deal that is already making headlines.
A Rs 1,000 crore expectation
Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana is being mounted on an unprecedented scale, with a reported production budget of around Rs 4,000 crore for both parts combined. Naturally, the stakes are enormous and so are the expectations from its digital rights.
According to a latest report in Bollywood Hungama, the producer has already turned down a staggering Rs 700 crore offer for the OTT rights of both films. The reason? He is aiming higher and much higher. Malhotra is reportedly holding out for a deal worth Rs 1,000 crore.
“He is expecting Rs. 1000 crore deal from OTT players, leaving Rs. 3000 crores to be recovered from other sources, including global theatrical,” a source informed Bollywood Hungama
Sources suggest that he believes Ramayana has the potential to offer massive worldwide reach to any streaming platform, making it a premium property.
A calculated strategy
Interestingly, the team is also considering a flexible approach when it comes to selling the digital rights. One possibility being explored is to sell only Part 1 for now and hold back Part 2 until after the first film’s release. This move could help them reassess the film’s market value post-release and potentially secure an even bigger deal later.
Such strategies are becoming increasingly common in big-budget franchises, where producers look to maximize returns across multiple revenue streams –OTT, theatrical, satellite, and global distribution.
Ramayana teaser fuels the hype
The buzz around the OTT deal comes right after the film’s teaser reveal on April 2, coinciding with Hanuman Jayanti. The first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama has already sparked conversations among fans.
Alongside Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Ramayana also features Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. Adding to its global ambition is the music collaboration between Hans Zimmer and A R Rahman, an unusual and exciting combination.
Set to release worldwide during Diwali 2026, with Part 2 arriving in Diwali 2027, Ramayana is shaping up to be more than just a film—it’s being pitched as a cinematic event.
