Los Angeles: Veteran actor Anupam Kher has expressed pride over the early reactions to Ramayana: Rise of a Legend following its international premiere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. The actor said the response to the film’s scale, performances and visual effects had filled him with joy, particularly the appreciation for Jatayu, the character he has voiced in the upcoming epic.
In a video shared on Instagram, Kher praised producer Namit Malhotra, director Nitesh Tiwari, music composers AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer, and lead actors Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash for bringing the Indian epic to the screen on a grand scale.
Kher also spoke about the significance of seeing Indian filmmaking receive attention from international audiences. For the veteran actor, being associated with the project as the voice of Jatayu has made the experience especially meaningful.
The film is scheduled to release in theatres on November 5, 2026, with Kher saying he is looking forward to watching it in Stockholm on the same date.
Anupam Kher celebrates the early response from Los Angeles
Reacting to the initial reviews and audience responses, Kher shared his excitement about the film’s reception beyond India.
“The early reactions coming in from Los Angeles are filling my heart with immense joy and pride,” the actor wrote, adding that seeing the Indian epic reach audiences worldwide on such a grand scale was an “incredible feeling”.
He also highlighted his role in the project, describing the opportunity to voice Jatayu as particularly meaningful.
In his video message, Kher praised the creative team for the scale of the production and encouraged audiences to watch the film when it reaches theatres.
“People are also noticing the amazing creation of Jatayu in the film, and it gives me so much pleasure to tell you that I have voiced that part,” he said.
Kher added that seeing Indian talent and films being appreciated outside the country gave him considerable satisfaction.
His comments reflect the significance of the project for the actor, who has worked across Indian and international productions during his career. The early response has also placed attention on the film’s technical presentation and its effort to bring a familiar epic to audiences through large-scale visual effects.
Jatayu’s visual creation draws attention
One of the aspects Kher singled out was the creation of Jatayu, the mythical bird who plays an important role in the Ramayana.
In the epic, Jatayu attempts to stop Ravana from abducting Sita. Although he is unable to prevent the abduction, his encounter with Ravana becomes an important part of Rama’s search for Sita.
The character’s bravery and sacrifice have made Jatayu a memorable figure in traditional tellings of the story.
In Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, the character has been brought to life through computer-generated imagery, with Kher providing the voice.
The actor’s comments suggest that the visual treatment of Jatayu was among the elements that attracted attention during the Los Angeles premiere. However, the full extent of the international response will become clearer as more screenings take place and the film approaches its public release.
For Kher, voicing the character offers a way to contribute to a story that has been retold across generations in India and beyond.
Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash lead the epic
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the ancient Indian epic attributed to sage Valmiki.
Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, while Sai Pallavi portrays Sita. Yash appears as Ravana, the king of Lanka whose abduction of Sita sets the central conflict in motion.
The cast also includes Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman.
The characters occupy central positions in the Ramayana narrative, which follows Rama’s exile, Sita’s abduction, the search for her and the eventual conflict with Ravana.
The film’s casting brings together established performers from different parts of the Indian film industry. The scale of the production and the involvement of international creative talent have also made it one of the closely watched Indian cinematic projects.
Kher’s praise for the team reflected his appreciation of the combined effort required to bring the story to the screen.
AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer contribute to the music
The film features music by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer, bringing together two composers with experience across Indian and international cinema.
Rahman is known for his work across Indian-language films and international productions, while Zimmer has composed scores for numerous major Hollywood films.
Their involvement is a prominent part of the project’s creative identity. Music is especially important in an epic adaptation, where it can help establish the scale of battles, emotional turning points and the atmosphere surrounding its central characters.
Kher acknowledged both composers while praising the team behind the film.
The collaboration also reflects the production’s international ambitions, although audience response to the score and its integration with the film will be assessed more fully after wider screenings.
Namit Malhotra backs a large-scale cinematic adaptation
Producer Namit Malhotra is leading the project alongside Yash, with the film directed by Tiwari.
The production seeks to bring the Ramayana to cinema through a large-scale presentation, combining performances, music and visual effects to depict its characters and settings.
Adapting a well-known epic presents particular challenges because audiences often have strong cultural and emotional connections to its characters. Filmmakers must translate familiar episodes into a cinematic form while making choices about visual design, storytelling and performance.
Kher’s remarks highlighted his appreciation for the scale of the undertaking and the effort to present the story to audiences around the world.
The Los Angeles premiere has provided an early opportunity for international viewers to respond to the production before its wider theatrical release.
A two-part retelling of the Ramayana
The film is planned as a two-part adaptation of the Ramayana, one of the most influential epics in Indian literary and cultural traditions.
The story of Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and Ravana has been passed down through texts, oral traditions, theatre, television and cinema. Different regional and cultural traditions have also developed their own interpretations of the narrative.
A major film adaptation therefore carries expectations around its storytelling as well as its visual presentation.
With Ranbir Kapoor playing Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, the project places its central conflict at the heart of the cinematic narrative. The supporting cast includes figures such as Hanuman, played by Sunny Deol, and Lakshman, portrayed by Ravie Dubey.
Kher’s contribution as the voice of Jatayu adds another important character to the film’s presentation of the epic.
Kher looks forward to watching the film in Stockholm
While Kher has expressed pride over the early reactions, he has said he is eagerly looking forward to watching the film in Stockholm on November 5.
His comments also underline the personal significance of participating in a project that aims to reach audiences internationally.
The actor’s Instagram message combined appreciation for the creative team with a broader reflection on the growing international visibility of Indian films and talent.
The premiere in Los Angeles marks an important promotional milestone, but the film’s wider reception will depend on how audiences respond when it reaches cinemas.
For now, Kher’s reaction has added to the anticipation surrounding the release, with particular attention on Jatayu’s visual creation and the film’s overall scale.
Indian epic prepares for its theatrical debut
The early reactions from Los Angeles have given the team behind Ramayana: Rise of a Legend an initial indication of how the film is being received by viewers who attended the premiere.
Kher’s comments have focused on the visual presentation, the work of the cast and crew, and the opportunity to voice Jatayu. He has also expressed satisfaction at seeing an Indian epic presented to international audiences on a large cinematic scale.
With Nitesh Tiwari directing and a cast led by Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, the film is preparing to bring a familiar story to theatres through a new adaptation.
The film is scheduled to release on November 5, 2026. As more viewers see the production, the response to its performances, music, visual effects and interpretation of the Ramayana will become clearer.