Cinema VinesProducer Namit Malhotra marked the Los Angeles premiere of his epic adaptation of the Ramayana as a personal “Oscar moment,” declaring the screening a milestone in his career. The event took place at the David Geffen Theater inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, where Malhotra reflected on his journey from founding a post‑production company to creating a film that bridges Indian and international audiences.
During his address, Malhotra highlighted his long‑standing ties to Los Angeles and his work with visual‑effects studio DNEG, which has earned eight Academy Awards, including seven in the last eleven years, for collaborations with filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve. He recalled starting out in 2007 as a “garage startup kid” with an Apple computer and three teachers—Merzin, Prakash and Josefa—describing the experience as “what dreams are made of.”
Malhotra also spoke candidly about the financial hardships he endured during the 2008 recession, noting that he lost 90% of his wealth but managed to recover and produce what he calls “the biggest independent production in the world.” He said, “I can’t even tell you what it feels like to stand here today.”
The premiere featured the film’s key collaborators, with director Nitesh Tiwari introduced alongside lead actors Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. Malhotra emphasized the importance of the duo, stating, “Ram without Sita does not work,” and added, “And the reason that you know this film happened or the conflict happened is because they have to fight Raavan, and that is the rocking star Yash.” He also acknowledged contributions from international talent, including composer Hans Zimmer and choreographer Terry Notary.
Looking ahead, Malhotra said the film’s release on November 5 will bring an ambitious, cross‑cultural vision to global theatres, underscoring his commitment to connecting the East and the West through cinema.
