JioHotstar to Stream Namit Malhotra’s ‘Ramayana: Part One’ on Pay-Per-View

JioHotstar has partnered with Prime Focus Studios to bring Ramayana: Part One to audiences across India through a dedicated pay-per-view offering following the film’s exclusive theatrical run. The initiative will allow viewers to purchase and watch the film individually on the streaming platform, extending its reach beyond cinemas.

Produced by Prime Focus Studios, the live-action adaptation of the Indian epic is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 5 November 2026, coinciding with Diwali. The film will arrive in IMAX 3D and other premium cinematic formats before becoming available for individual on-demand purchase on JioHotstar.

The partnership aims to combine the film’s large-scale cinematic experience with JioHotstar’s technology infrastructure and audience reach, making the production accessible to viewers who may not be able to watch it in theatres.

Nita M. Ambani, Chairperson of JioStar, said, “Ramayana is one of India’s greatest civilisational treasures – a story that has shaped our conscience, inspired our imagination, and guided the way we live for centuries. As India enters a new era of storytelling, we have an extraordinary opportunity to carry our cultural legacy forward. At JioHotstar, our vision is to use technology to bring the finest stories within reach of every Indian. It is our privilege to present this grand cinematic vision of Ramayana to families across the country, and introduce a new generation to its eternal values of duty, love, courage, and goodness.”

Pay-per-view model to expand audience access

Explaining the rationale behind the digital partnership, Namit Malhotra, Producer, Filmmaker, Founder and CEO of DNEG, highlighted the importance of preserving the film’s theatrical experience while making it accessible to a wider audience.

“I believe Ramayana should be experienced on the biggest screen possible, in IMAX 3D. But our country’s cinema infrastructure cannot reach everyone who holds this epic close. Ramayana belongs to every Indian, and our ambition must reflect that. JioHotstar has time and again shown how technology can bring a nation together through its sports and entertainment offering. That made them a natural partner to take Ramayana into people’s hands and living rooms, after its theatrical run,” Malhotra said.

Under the pay-per-view model, viewers will be able to purchase access to the film separately rather than relying solely on a conventional subscription-based streaming arrangement. The approach is intended to widen access while maintaining the planned theatrical exclusivity ahead of its digital release.

JioHotstar will use its platform infrastructure to deliver the film in the highest possible quality across supported devices. The partnership reflects an effort to combine premium theatrical distribution with an individual-purchase digital model for a major Indian cinematic production.

A large-scale adaptation of the Indian epic

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and adapted by Shridhar Raghavan from Valmiki’s epic, Ramayana is envisioned as a two-part live-action cinematic event. The production brings together Prime Focus Studios, DNEG, the eight-time Academy Award-winning production and visual effects studio, and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.

The creative team includes Academy Award-winning composers Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman, while Ravi Bansal and Ramsey Avery are handling production design. Action sequences are being led by Terry Notary and Guy Norris, with the film designed for IMAX and other premium theatrical formats.

The cast features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. The ensemble also includes Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor and Kajal Aggarwal, among others.

Ramayana: Part One is scheduled to release in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English on 5 November 2026.

The collaboration between JioHotstar and Prime Focus Studios combines a planned premium theatrical release with a pay-per-view digital distribution strategy. By extending the film’s availability beyond cinemas, the partners aim to bring the epic’s story and themes to a broader audience across India.