The excitement surrounding Nitesh Tiwari's ambitious cinematic adaptation of the Ramayana continues to grow, with a major production update emerging about its second instalment. Cinematographer Pankaj Kumar has revealed that approximately 60 per cent of Ramayana Part 2 has already been shot. However, a substantial amount of visual effects (VFX) and motion-capture work remains before the film is ready for its theatrical release.
Featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash in key roles, the sequel is expected to be significantly bigger in scale than the first instalment. Kumar's latest comments also offer an insight into the creative decisions behind the film's visual world, particularly the fantasy-inspired appearance of its forests.
Ramayana Part 2 Shooting 60 Per Cent Complete
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Pankaj Kumar confirmed that a major portion of the sequel has already been filmed.
He said, "We have already shot about 60 per cent of Part 2." However, he clarified that completing the shoot does not mean the film is close to being ready for release.
According to the cinematographer, the second instalment will be grander than the first and feature a much larger number of computer-generated characters. Bringing these characters to life will require extensive visual effects and motion-capture work.
Kumar specifically mentioned Lord Hanuman and the entire Vanar Sena as examples of the digital characters that will require considerable attention during post-production.
The remaining work will involve developing detailed digital characters and integrating them into the film's large-scale sequences. This technical process is one of the major reasons the production team needs additional time before bringing the sequel to theatres.
Why Ramayana's Forests Have a Fantasy Look
One of the most discussed aspects of the first instalment has been its visual treatment. Some viewers have questioned why the forests, trees and natural surroundings appear more fantastical than realistic.
Addressing the discussion, Pankaj Kumar explained that the filmmakers never intended to recreate an ordinary jungle. Instead, their objective was to create an enhanced visual world that could support the epic scale of the story.
He explained that shooting in an actual forest would make the surroundings look realistic, but that approach might not deliver the larger-than-life experience required for the film.
Kumar pointed out that the story includes giant monsters, demons and characters swinging from one tree to another. In such a setting, strictly realistic-looking trees and branches would not necessarily complement the fantasy elements.
He explained that the filmmakers wanted the forests to look more enhanced and visually impressive than real-life surroundings. According to him, the visual treatment is a different way of expressing the story rather than an attempt to reproduce nature exactly.
His explanation offers insight into the creative thinking behind the film's distinctive visual style, which has attracted both appreciation and criticism from audiences.
Hanuman and Vanar Sena Will Require Extensive VFX
The second instalment is expected to feature several important characters and sequences that will require sophisticated visual effects.
Lord Hanuman, played by Sunny Deol, and the Vanar Sena will be central to the story's larger narrative. Their presence will require a combination of computer-generated imagery, motion capture and detailed post-production work.
Kumar said that the sequel contains more CG characters than the first film, making the technical process considerably more demanding.
Motion capture allows filmmakers to record the movements and performances of actors and translate them into digital characters. This technology can help create complex action sequences and large-scale fantasy characters while maintaining a sense of movement and expression.
For a story involving an army of vanaras, supernatural characters and major battles, the process requires considerable planning and execution.
The cinematographer's comments suggest that the remaining production schedule will involve substantial technical work, even though a significant portion of the filming has already been completed.
Ramayana Part 2 Release Date: Why the Film Was Delayed
The makers have shifted the release of Ramayana Part 2 from its earlier Diwali 2027 schedule to Diwali 2028.
Producer Namit Malhotra has previously explained that the additional year is necessary to give the team enough time to complete the ambitious project. He indicated that the makers do not want to rush the production and want to deliver the sequel on the scale the story deserves.
The extensive VFX and motion-capture requirements make the additional time particularly important. With more digital characters and larger sequences planned for the second instalment, the post-production process is expected to be demanding.
The release delay is therefore linked to the filmmakers' effort to complete the technical work to their desired standard rather than simply finishing the remaining shoot.
Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and the Cast of Ramayana
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman, while Sunny Deol portrays Lord Hanuman.
The supporting cast includes Arun Govil as King Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Indira Krishnan as Kaushalya and Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari.
The first instalment introduced the central characters and established the conflict surrounding Sita's abduction by Ravana. The sequel is expected to take the story towards the events leading to the battle between Rama and Ravana.
Raghav Juyal has also been cast as Meghnad, also known as Indrajit, Ravana's son. His appearance was teased in the post-credit sequence of the first instalment.
With around 60 per cent of the sequel's shooting reportedly complete, fans now have a clearer picture of the film's production progress. However, the extensive digital work still ahead means the team has a demanding schedule before the planned Diwali 2028 release.
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