Ramayana: Part 1 Declared Tax-Free in West Bengal, CM Suvendu Adhikari Confirms Exemption for Ranbir Kapoor Starrer

Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana: Part 1 has received a boost ahead of its theatrical release, with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirming to ANI on Tuesday that the epic will be made tax-free in the state.

Discussing the decision, the Chief Minister referred to The Kerala Story, The Kashmir Files and The Bengal Files, adding that more mythological stories could reach the big screen in the coming years. “The Ramayana film has been made tax-free. The Kerala Story, The Kashmir Files and The Bengal Files, all of these will be or have been made tax-free, and the same will apply to ‘Ramayana’. In the days to come, we will see films on Shri Krishna and Arjuna, as well as the Mahabharata,” he said.

The exemption is expected to make Ramayana: Part 1 more accessible to audiences across West Bengal, strengthening its prospects in a key eastern market. The exact impact on ticket prices will depend on the applicable tax arrangements, but the announcement gives the film an additional talking point before its arrival in cinemas.

Conceived as the first instalment of a planned two-part saga, Ramayana: Part 1 is based on the ancient Sanskrit epic attributed to Valmiki. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, who co-wrote the screenplay with Shridhar Raghavan, the film brings the story of Prince Rama of Ayodhya, his exile and the trials surrounding his journey to the big screen on an ambitious scale.

The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, with Sai Pallavi portraying Sita. Kannada superstar Yash, widely known for his work in the K.G.F franchise, takes on the role of Ravana, while Ravi Dubey will portray Lakshmana. The supporting cast includes Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Anupam Kher as Maharishi Vashistha, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, Vivek Oberoi as Meghnada (Indrajit), Kunal Kapoor as Lord Indra, Adinath Kothare as Bharata, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Indira Krishnan as Kausalya. Veteran actor Arun Govil — synonymous with Lord Rama after portraying him in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic 1987 television series — will play King Dasharatha, adding a nostalgic dimension to the project.

Ramayana: Part 1 is being mounted on an ambitious scale by producer Namit Malhotra, associated with visual effects company DNEG, along with Yash. The music is being composed by A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer — the first time the two Oscar-winning composers are working together. The film’s world premiere is scheduled for October 27 at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, ahead of its worldwide theatrical release on November 5.

Source: Bollywood Hungama, ANI