Cinema VinesIndian classical virtuoso Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is poised to step into Bollywood, joining forces with Academy Award winners Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman on the music team for filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming epic, Ramayana. Sharma will compose the trailer’s title track and contribute to key scenes featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, and Yash as Lankesh Ravana.
The filmmakers want more than a conventional score; they aim for a psychological experience that mirrors the depth of the ancient tale. Sharma’s background in music therapy and his signature custom‑engineered electronic sitar, the SITARA, make him an ideal collaborator for the emotional moments. He plans to blend classical bhajans with original compositions, grounding the music in traditional Indian roots while reimagining it for a modern audience.
Sharma, the youngest and final disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar, has recently toured globally with his “Mental Health” sitar project, using the instrument to promote mindfulness, sound therapy, and anxiety relief. Producers believed his expertise could bring a unique, therapeutic dimension to the film’s soundscape.
The ensemble cast includes Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, with Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Kunal Kapoor as Indra Dev, and Rakul Preet Singh as Surpankha. Ramayana: Part One is slated for a Diwali 2026 release, with a second instalment expected for Diwali 2027. The trailer will drop next week on July 24, following a promotional kick‑off event held in Delhi on July 18.
