In a groundbreaking collaboration that has set the entertainment industry abuzz, Namit Malhotra’s production company Prime Focus Studios and Rocking Star Yash’s Monster Mind Creations have joined forces to create the definitive version of epic Indian saga Ramayana for global audiences.
Visionary producer Namit Malhotra, who is also the Global CEO of multiple Academy Award-winning visual effects company DNEG, has been developing his plans to bring this age-old tale to the big screen for several years. In discussing his ambitions with global superstar Yash, Namit found a kindred spirit and the two filmmaking powerhouses quickly discovered a shared ambition to bring India’s rich cultural heritage to the world.
Together with renowned director Nitesh Tiwari, and with DNEG onboard to deliver a never-before-seen visual cinematic experience, Namit and Yash have embarked on a monumental journey to showcase the timeless appeal of Indian mythology and storytelling traditions on the world stage.
Namit Malhotra said: “After years spent living between the US, the UK, and India, building a business that has achieved unparalleled commercial success and more Oscar wins in the last ten years than any other company, my personal journey has led me to the point that I feel ready to do justice to the incredible story of Ramayana, treating it with the due care and reverence that it deserves.”
“My challenges from the start have been two-fold: to respect the sanctity of a tale which is held in such high regard by all of us who grew up with it, while also bringing it to the world in such a way that this incredible story is embraced by international audiences as a compelling big screen experience,” continued Namit. “In Yash I recognise a similar aspiration to share the best of our culture with the world. Inspired by his journey from Karnataka to the incredible international success of K.G.F: Chapter 2, I can’t think of a better partner to help create a major global impact with this, the greatest of all our stories.”
With his undeniable ability to breathe life into characters and stories, Yash has emerged as a global icon, garnering a fervent fanbase both in India and internationally. As a creative producer of all of his films since 2014, Yash brings a wealth of innovation and experience, ensuring that every project that he is involved with resonates with audiences on a profound level.
Yash said: “It has been my long-term aspiration to make films that will showcase Indian cinema on a global level. In pursuit of that, I was in LA to ally with one of the best VFX studios, and to my amazement, the driving force behind it was a fellow Indian.
Namit and I had various ideation sessions, and coincidentally, our synergy on the vision for Indian cinema aligned perfectly. We brainstormed various projects, and during these discussions, the subject of Ramayana came up. Namit had a part of it in the works; Ramayana, as a subject, deeply resonates with me and I had an approach in my mind for it. By joining forces to co-produce Ramayana we are bringing together our collective vision and experience to create an Indian film that will ignite excitement and passion in audiences across the world.”
Together, the two producers epitomize the perfect blend of creative and technical excellence and experience that is getting fans eagerly excited for this ambitious and exciting production. With Namit Malhotra and Yash at the helm and Nitesh Tiwari in the director’s chair, Ramayana is shaping up to be an unforgettable cinematic experience.
“This is an Indian film presenting Indian culture to the world in a way that no other film has ever been able to achieve,” added Namit Malhotra. “As a third-generation filmmaker who has spent the last thirty years building a garage start-up into the world’s largest and most celebrated company in its field, I feel that all of my experience has been leading to this moment. Our interpretation will be told without compromise and presented in such a way that Indian hearts will swell with pride to see their culture brought to the rest of the world in this way. We are assembling the very best global talent - from our filmmakers, to our stars, to our crews, to our backers and investors - to tell this epic story with the care, attention, and conviction that it deserves. I am incredibly proud of what we are creating, and I cannot wait for the world to experience the very best of Indian culture and storytelling on cinema screens across the globe.”
“Ramayana is woven into the fabric of our lives. We believe we know it well, yet each encounter unveils fresh wisdom, ignites new knowledge, and offers unique perspectives,"concludes Yash. “Our vision is to translate this timeless epic onto the silver screen in a grand spectacle, honouring its scale. But at its core, it will be an honest and faithful portrayal of the story, the emotions, and the enduring values we hold so dear. This is a journey to share the Ramayana with the world, a testament to our commitment to creative exploration, bold visions, and honest storytelling."
