Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana: From Losing 90% Wealth to a ₹4,000 Crore Epic

After revealing how the 2008 financial crisis wiped out 90% of his wealth, producer Namit Malhotra reflects on his journey from a small garage startup to backing a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Ramayana with a reported budget exceeding ₹4,000 crore.

Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana journey marks a significant milestone in the producer’s career, nearly two decades after he faced a major financial setback. Speaking at a special presentation of the film in Los Angeles, Malhotra recalled losing 90% of his wealth during the 2008 global financial crisis. Today, he is leading one of India’s most ambitious film productions, bringing together talent from the Indian and international film industries.

1. Namit Malhotra recalls losing 90% of his wealth in 2008

During the Los Angeles presentation, held at the Academy venue, Malhotra described the occasion as his personal Oscar moment. He reflected on the challenges he faced after moving to Los Angeles in 2007 to build a global company connecting the film industries of the East and West.

Recalling the financial crisis that followed, he said, “An immigrant who lost 90% of his wealth during the financial crisis of 2008, as I am sure some of you may remember, to bounce back today and bring the biggest independent production in the world… I can’t even tell you what it feels like to stand here today and say this.”

His remarks highlighted the contrast between the financial difficulties he experienced and his current position as a producer of a large-scale cinematic project.

2. From a garage startup to eight Academy Awards

Malhotra’s entrepreneurial journey began when he was 19. With an Apple computer and a small setup in a garage, he started working in video editing and computer graphics alongside three of his teachers.

Coming from a third-generation film family, he initially explored post-production and visual effects as a way to eventually enter filmmaking.

His company, DNEG, has since won eight Academy Awards, including seven for visual effects in the last 11 years, according to his remarks at the event. The company has collaborated with acclaimed filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve.

Malhotra also acknowledged his father, filmmaker Naresh Malhotra, for encouraging him to enter film production.

“I got into post-production and visual effects to get to make movies at some point, and that is what I am doing today,” he said.

3. Ramayana reportedly carries a budget of over ₹4,000 crore

The upcoming adaptation of the Indian epic is being produced on an estimated combined budget of $500 million, equivalent to more than ₹4,000 crore, across its two parts.

Speaking to Prakhar Gupta, Malhotra revealed that the scale of the project initially surprised people when development began around six or seven years ago.

He said, “When we set out to make this six or seven years ago, people thought I was a lunatic because no Indian film comes close to this scale.”

He further explained that the production aims to bring the epic to international audiences while maintaining financial discipline.

“We’re making the largest film in the world for the greatest epic that deserves to be seen globally. Yet, I believe we’re doing it more efficiently than some of the biggest Hollywood films. We’re not being irresponsible; we’re being ambitious, but grounded,” he added.

4. International talent joins the Indian production

The production brings together artists and technical professionals from India and overseas. Malhotra said the project has enabled collaboration between Indian and Western talent, reflecting his long-standing ambition to connect the two film industries.

His experience in visual effects and international filmmaking through DNEG forms an important part of the project’s production background.

The Los Angeles presentation also gave him an opportunity to recognise the contributions of his team and collaborators, whose work has helped shape the film’s scale and visual ambitions.

5. Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash lead the two-part epic

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic. The cast includes Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol and Ravi Dubey in pivotal roles.

The first instalment is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026, while the second part is planned for Diwali 2027.

With its reported ₹4,000-crore budget, international collaborations and ensemble cast, the project represents a major production undertaking for Indian cinema.

From financial setback to an ambitious cinematic vision

Malhotra’s account of the 2008 financial crisis offers a glimpse into the challenges behind his professional journey. From starting a business in a garage at 19 to building an internationally recognised visual effects company and backing a large-scale adaptation of the Ramayana, his career has moved across several stages of filmmaking.

As the first instalment approaches its theatrical release, attention will turn to how the epic translates its ambitious production scale into a cinematic experience for audiences in India and around the world.