"I don’t know where the money is coming from."
Ramayana producer Namit Malhotra said actors have asked him if he had the funds to pull off the films, revealing that he also doesn’t know “where money’s coming from”.
He explained that stars will charge huge fees only when they feel the film solely hinges on their shoulders and not on the creator’s vision:
“I believe the more you depend on the stars, the higher fees they’ll charge from you. Stars should also be able to see the potential of your film.
“By making 90% of the film as a star vehicle, you’re putting the entire responsibility of your business on their shoulders.
“Naturally then, they’ll walk away with the majority benefit. That’s the reality of every business.”
The two-part epic stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash.
But a lot of attention is on the budget, which is said to exceed £375 million.
On the Game Changers podcast, Malhotra said: “The shooting for Part 1 is almost over now.
“When I started planning the film, we had a huge vision.
“Everyone, including actors, asked me if I have enough funds to pull it off. I’ve finished the first film and not borrowed a single rupee.
“I don’t know where the money is coming from. When people ask me how I pulled it off, even I don’t know. This is something else. It’s just happening on its own.
“This is not just a project or a business proposition.”
Trade analyst Komal Nahata previously claimed that Malhotra told him he was willing to spend up to three times the official budget if required.
Malhotra reiterated that he refuses to compromise on production values:
“People ask me what my final budget is going to be, I don’t know. I don’t check that every day. I just see if we’re making the right product. There should be no compromise anywhere.”
The producer highlighted that his company DNEG, which employs 11,000 people, weathered the pandemic and the Hollywood strike without missing salary payments.
Malhotra added: “Today, Ramayana has infused a new life into our business.
“Even in my experience of 30 years, I can’t pinpoint how it’s happening, but it is.”
DNEG has won seven Oscars for visual effects as well as Emmy Awards.
Malhotra maintained that the film could expand Indian cinema’s global reach, comparing the current industry to Hollywood three decades ago:
“If you go back to the Hollywood of 30 years ago, they used to do a business of 60:40 in domestic and international markets, similar to our ratio today. But it’s inverse today.
“They’re earning 20-25% from domestic and 75-80% from overseas.”
“If we also present our films with the same quality today, I have no doubt that opportunity can come to us.
“As producers, it’s our job that we show that vision to our directors and actors accordingly. That’s the starting point.”
Part 1 and 2 of Ramayana is scheduled for release on Diwali 2026 and 2027.
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