Karan Johar Drops Cryptic First Review of 'Ramayana' After Massive ₹250 Cr Deal

Filmmaker Karan Johar has sent anticipation for Nitesh Tiwari's mythological magnum opus Ramayana: Part 1 into overdrive after dropping an electrifying first reaction following an exclusive preview screening. Taking to his official Instagram Stories on Monday, November 2, 2026, the Dharma Productions chief shared a brief yet effusive verdict that immediately captured the attention of moviegoers, declaring that the cinematic spectacle left him utterly awestruck and teasing that the upcoming festive holiday will be memorable for cinephiles. The glowing endorsement has ignited fresh conversations across exhibition circuits and digital forums, underscoring the massive stakes surrounding the visual epic as it races toward its worldwide holiday rollout.

₹250 Crore North India Distribution: Dharma Stakes Big on Yash & Namit Malhotra's Epic

Johar’s praise arrives with substantial commercial backing, as Dharma Productions has officially secured the theatrical distribution rights for the film across North India’s Hindi-speaking territories. Industry reports confirm that the marquee distribution pact was finalized at an estimated ₹250 crore following high-level negotiations with co-producers Namit Malhotra (helming visual effects giant DNEG) and Kannada superstar Yash's banner, Monster Mind Creations. With significant commercial skin in the game, Johar’s enthusiastic reaction carries strategic weight across theatrical networks and single-screen circuits, signaling immense trade confidence in the project's box office potential across northern cinema hubs.

'A Happy Diwali Awaits': Global Release Set for Nov 5 Across Six Languages in IMAX

Opting for intrigue over an exhaustive breakdown, Johar kept his public assessment concise, writing: "I was blown away! I won't say anything more! I'll just say it's going to be a wonderful and incredibly happy Diwali." The reaction has provided a strong promotional boost to the production, which has commanded headlines for its reported scale of ₹4,000 crore and its extensive visual effects designed by global CGI teams. Scheduled to hit theaters globally on Thursday, November 5, 2026, Ramayana: Part 1 will release across standard, IMAX, and premium large-screen auditoriums in six languages—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and English—setting the stage for an expansive festive box office debut.