‘Ravana,’ Student-Led Theatrical Feature, Set at India’s Reliance Animation Academy, Tenali Rama (EXCLUSIVE)

Apr 1, 2026 10:30pm PT ‘Ravana,’ Student-Led Theatrical Feature, Set at India’s Reliance Animation Academy, Tenali Rama By Naman Ramachandran Plus Icon Naman Ramachandran Latest Ranbir Kapoor Unveiled as Lord Rama in Trailer for Nitesh Tiwari’s Epic ‘Ramayana’ 18 minutes ago Vir Das Sets Found-Footage Horror Film ‘Baara Number’ 3 hours ago ‘Pee Mak’ Director Banjong Pisanthanakun Returns With Horror Film ‘Inherit’ as ‘Parasite’ Studio Barunson E&A Boards GDH 559 Project 14 hours ago See All India’s Reliance Animation Academy and Tenali Rama Animation have unveiled “ Ravana – The Lost Battle with Shri Ram ,” one of India’s first student-led theatrical feature films, to be produced through an industry-education partnership. The project centers on Ravana, the many-headed demon king whose abduction of the princess Sita sets in motion the climactic war at the heart of “The Ramayana” – one of Hinduism’s foundational epics, attributed to the sage Valmiki and revered across South and Southeast Asia. Where most adaptations cast Ravana as a straightforward villain, the film aims to present a more complex reading of the character. The epic has inspired countless screen iterations, from the 1993 Indo-Japanese animated co-production directed by Yugo Sako, Ram Mohan and Koichi Sasaki – re-released in 4K in India in 2025 – to Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming big-budget live-action adaptation starring Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Yash as Ravana, due in cinemas for Diwali 2026. Related Stories LISTEN: How K-Pop Is Widening the Funnel for an Asian Music Boom