Siddharth P Malhotra, a director whose grandfather was the legendary Prem Nath, sits on a lineage that stretches into the Kapoor clan. In a candid NDTV sit‑down, he admits he feels closer to the older generation of Kapoors than the current stars, labeling Ranbir and Kareena merely as distant cousins. He quips, “We’re family, but no deep bond with the parents’ era.”
When asked if he’d ever work with the actor, Malhotra laughs, “It’s a dream to work with Ranbir. He’s the best actor in the country.” He then explains the calculus: the star’s top‑tier choices mean he’d need to offer something beyond what “the top of the top” can get. “It’s a needle in a haystack,” he says, citing the fierce competition for their time.
The real thrill, according to Malhotra, is watching Ravi Dubey in the role of Lakshman. He launched the TV star with “Yahan Ke Hum Sikandar” and calls him a brother. “I’m dying to see him in Ramayana,” he says, adding that his first crush on the film is the actor’s performance, even before the Ranbir spectacle.
Behind the scenes, the film’s ambition is staggering. Producer Namit Malhotra says the combined budget will hit about $500 million—over ₹4,000 crore—making it the biggest Indian film ever. The two‑part saga will hit global screens before Diwali 2026, with the second part slated for the next Diwali. The scale, he claims, surpasses many Hollywood blockbusters, but the makers promise efficiency and grounded ambition.