Mumbai: Photos of Ranbir Kapoor from the sets of Ramayana have taken over social media, creating both excitement and debate. The photos first appeared on Reddit in the morning on Tuesday and depict the actor in costume as Lord Rama in an open field shoot. One can find the crew members standing around and taking pictures with umbrellas and camera when Ranbir is in full costume and holding a bow.
The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, has been one of the most talked about upcoming projects in Bollywood. The creators have maintained a strong veil over the images, the reason why these leaked images have elicited such a massive coverage.
What The Leaked Images Reveal
In the viral photos, Ranbir Kapoor is seen wearing a kesariya dhoti and janeu, along with a black cape draped across his torso. He has long, wavy hair, which has been styled using a wig and a tilak on his forehead to finish the image. The images are non-professional, and they might have been captured during the time he was walking around the shooting point and his vanity van.
While many fans were thrilled to get a first glimpse of his avatar as Lord Rama, others were quick to criticise the styling. A number of social media users doubted the quality of the wig and general appearance especially given the magnitude of the project. One of the users sarcastically remarked on the huge budget and the wig, and another one noticed that Bollywood usually has a problem with faked hair and beards when it comes to period drama work.
Budget Talks and Adipurush Comparisons
Producer Namit Malhotra has previously mentioned that the two part adaptation is mounted on an estimated budget of 400 to 500 million dollars, making it one of the most expensive Indian film projects ever. In Indian currency, some online users even referred to it as a Rs 4000 crore scale venture. However, the makers have not reacted to the leaked images so far.
The debate quickly led to comparisons with Adipurush starring Prabhas. That film faced heavy criticism for its visual effects and character design despite its large budget. Some users expressed concern that history could repeat itself, with a few claiming that the new project might rely too much on CGI.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed news regarding a grandiose international marketing strategy has been going around. Based on these rumours, the trailer may be released at San Diego Comic-Con on July 23, 2026 and then it can feature at big festivals such as Toronto International Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival. The release is also indicated in the schedule as a musical concert at Royal Albert Hall with Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman as well as promotion in India before a purported Diwali release on November 8, 2026. All these facts are not verified.
The photos that leaked have only heightened the curiosity about Ramayana despite the mixed reactions. One thing is definite whether the makers will react or remain silent. The movie is already one of the most expected movies of 2026, and any minor changes are sufficient to make the news go viral.
