Ramayana: Part One to get pay-per-view release after theaters

The upcoming mythological epic 'Ramayana: Part One' will be available for purchase on JioHotstar in India following its cinema run, Variety reports. A deal with Prime Focus Studios will let viewers buy the film on demand through the streaming platform.

The companies say this marks a first for JioHotstar, introducing a pay-per-view model for a major film. It will stream at the highest quality supported by a user's device.

The movie, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, stars Ranbir Kapoor as Prince Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as the demon king Ravana. The supporting cast includes Sunny Deol as Hanuman, with a wide ensemble of other Indian stars.

It is scheduled for a global release on November 5 in six languages, including Hindi and English, to coincide with Diwali, with Sony Pictures handling international distribution and Dharma Productions managing its release in India. The film is shot for premium formats like IMAX 3D.

Producers have stated the film was designed for the biggest screens but that the pay-per-view plan aims to make it accessible nationwide. The project is a two-part live-action adaptation of the ancient epic, produced by Prime Focus Studios, DNEG, and Yash's Monster Mind Creations.