Ramayana 2 shoot deferred: Ranbir Kapoor, Yash’s packed schedules push sequel to January 2026

Principal photography for Ramayana 2 will now commence in January 2026, shifting the production timetable of the much-anticipated sequel to Nitesh Tiwari's movie adaptation of the Indian epic.

Most ambitious Indian film project

With an A-list ensemble cast that includes Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravie Dubey, Kunal Kapoor, Lara Dutta, and Vivek Oberoi, this gigantic two-part project is generally considered the most ambitious film ever created in Indian cinema.

Sources close to the production told ETimes that August 2025 was the original target to begin filming the sequel. The hectic personal and professional schedules of the film's main actors necessitated a change to this schedule.

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Ranbir Kapoor's conflicting commitments

Love and War by Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently in production, and Ranbir, who plays Lord Ram, is busy with it. He is now in Mumbai for filming on this project and will travel to Italy in December for a roughly 20-day schedule. Compared to the originally scheduled 45-day overseas engagement, this is a significant shortening.

Similarly, Yash, who plays the antagonist Ravana, is committed to filming Geetu Mohandas's Toxic. In a recent statement, the makers reaffirmed the film's March 19, 2026, release date to debunk speculations of a shoot delay.

Sunny Deol's personal circumstances

Further complicating the schedule is a personal situation involving Sunny Deol, who portrays Lord Hanuman. At the moment, the veteran is concerned primarily about his father Dharmendra's health. According to industry sources, Sunny will wait until his personal life is stable and his outstanding tasks are finished before returning to his full-time professional obligations.

The makers of Ramayana continue to have faith in the revised schedule despite these setbacks. According to an insider, January 2026 is considered the ideal window to finally bring the entire primary cast together for the mammoth Part 2 shoot. A lot of work has already been done in preproduction to make sure everything runs smoothly once filming starts, such as designing the sets, finalising the costumes, and planning the visual effects.

Release timeline for Ramayana Parts 1 & 2

After finishing filming, the first half of Ramayana is nearly ready for its big release. The Diwali 2026 weekend is when it is expected to be released. The anticipated release date for the second part is presently set for 2027.

The film, which is being directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is still receiving a lot of attention both domestically and internationally. After years of research and development, the industry is hopeful that Ramayana will break new ground in India for epic storytelling and cinematic spectacle.

FAQs:

Q: When will the shooting for Ramayana 2 begin?

A: Principal photography for Ramayana 2 is now officially scheduled to begin in January 2026. The original plan was to start shooting in August 2025.

Q: Why was the filming of Ramayana 2 delayed?

A: The filming was delayed from August 2025 to January 2026 to accommodate the demanding professional and personal commitments of the lead actors, including Ranbir Kapoor (Lord Ram), Yash (Ravana), and Sunny Deol (Lord Hanuman).

Q: What is the release date for Ramayana Part 1?

A: Ramayana Part 1, which has already completed principal photography, is scheduled for a major release during the Diwali 2026 weekend.