Yash has clarified that the widely discussed ₹4,000 crore figure associated with Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana covers both parts of the epic as well as release and promotional expenses, rather than the first film alone.
The reported ₹4,000 crore investment behind Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana has become one of the most discussed aspects of the ambitious Indian epic. While the figure has prompted comparisons with expensive Hollywood productions, Yash has now offered more context about what the reported amount actually represents.
Speaking on Rajat Sharma’s Aap Ki Adalat, Yash, who plays Ravana in the two-part film and is also associated with the project as a producer, said the ₹4,000 crore figure should not be interpreted as the production cost of only the first instalment.
According to the actor, the amount encompasses both parts of Ramayana, along with expenses related to their release and promotion.
Yash clarifies what the ₹4,000 crore Ramayana budget includes
Yash described the widely circulated figure as a misconception that needed clarification.
He explained that the reported ₹4,000 crore investment applies to the two-part film and includes release and promotional costs.
The actor also compared the approach with the economics of major Hollywood productions, where marketing and distribution expenses can form a significant portion of the overall investment in a global release.
According to Yash, the calculation becomes different when a film is planned for audiences across multiple international markets.
The clarification is significant because the ₹4,000 crore figure has often been discussed online as though it represents the production cost of a single movie.
Yash’s comments suggest that the figure should instead be understood as a broader investment associated with the complete two-part project.
Why Ramayana is being planned as a global film
Yash also explained the thinking behind the scale of Ramayana.
The actor believes Indian filmmakers need to think beyond the domestic market when developing large-scale stories with international potential.
For a project based on one of India’s most widely recognised epics, the global audience becomes an important part of the commercial strategy.
Yash pointed out that international films can invest heavily in promotion because their potential revenue is also generated across global markets.
In his view, Ramayana is being approached with a similar philosophy.
Rather than treating the project solely as a Hindi-language theatrical release, the team is attempting to position the epic as a film capable of reaching audiences outside India.
Yash calls cinema a form of soft power
During the conversation, Yash also spoke about the broader cultural significance of Indian cinema.
He described cinema as “soft power” and argued that filmmakers have a responsibility to take Indian stories to audiences around the world.
For Yash, the ambition behind Ramayana is therefore not limited to its box office prospects.
He sees the project, along with his other major film Toxic, as part of a larger attempt to give Indian cinema a stronger global identity.
The actor said filmmakers need to continue working towards that objective even if the industry does not immediately achieve the desired international reach.
Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama
Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, with Sai Pallavi portraying Sita.
Yash plays Ravana, placing him opposite Kapoor in one of the central conflicts of the epic.
The casting has generated considerable interest, particularly because the film brings together three prominent contemporary actors for roles drawn from one of India’s most culturally significant stories.
Nitesh Tiwari, known for films including Dangal and Chhichhore, is directing the project.
The film also features a large ensemble cast, although several details surrounding the wider characters and storyline have been kept under wraps.
A two-part epic with an unprecedented scale
The decision to divide Ramayana into two films reflects the scale of the story the filmmakers are attempting to tell.
The epic contains numerous characters, locations, relationships and narrative arcs, making a conventional single-film adaptation difficult to accommodate without substantial compression.
The two-part structure gives the makers more room to develop the central characters and build the larger narrative.
It also allows the production to operate on a scale that is unusual for Indian cinema.
The reported investment has consequently become a major talking point even before the films reach theatres.
Why the budget has attracted so much attention
The ₹4,000 crore figure has naturally led to questions about how such a large investment could be recovered.
Yash’s explanation provides some context by separating the overall project investment from the production cost of an individual instalment.
The inclusion of both films, together with release and promotional expenses, changes the way the headline figure should be interpreted.
At the same time, the project will require a substantial worldwide audience if its commercial ambitions are to be realised.
That is why the filmmakers’ stated focus on international markets is particularly important.
Ramayana aims to take Indian storytelling worldwide
Yash’s comments underline the larger ambition surrounding Ramayana: to create a large-scale Indian production capable of competing for attention in the global entertainment market.
The film draws from a story that is already familiar across several countries and cultures, giving the project an unusually broad potential audience.
Whether the finished films achieve that international reach will ultimately depend on the execution, storytelling, visual effects, performances, distribution and audience response.
For now, Yash’s clarification provides a more detailed explanation of the much-discussed ₹4,000 crore figure and reinforces the team’s intention to treat Ramayana as a global cinematic project rather than a purely domestic release.
