Ranbir Kapoor, Nitesh Tiwari, Ravie Dubey and Namit Malhotra come together with young leaders from over 500 schools across 18 cities for a special conversation on the values of Ramayana, to stream exclusively on JioHotstar from November 1st.
Mumbai, October 28, 2026: Bringing the timeless values of Ramayana closer to a new generation, JioHotStar, in partnership with Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana and I.I.M.U.N., has brought together nearly 20,000 students from across India for Har Yug Mein Ram: A Conversation with Young Leaders.
Featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Nitesh Tiwari, Ravie Dubey and Namit Malhotra, the initiative created a unique platform for students to engage in an open dialogue about the epic’s enduring values, its iconic characters and the relevance of their choices and relationships in today’s world.
With participation from over 500 schools across 18 cities, spanning Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the event brought together young voices from different parts of the country to explore what Ramayana means to their generation. The interaction took place at I.I.M.U.N.’s headquarters in Mumbai, where approximately 150 student leaders were present for the live session, alongside students joining virtually from classrooms across the country. The conversation has been produced as a special episode that will stream exclusively on JioHotstar, extending this dialogue to audiences across India.
Moving beyond familiar interpretations of the epic, students posed thoughtful and engaging questions about who they consider the true hero of Ramayana, what they would ask Lord Rama, which character they would choose as a friend, and whose journey among Rama, Sita and Lakshman they found most challenging. These exchanges opened up conversations around love, friendship, duty, courage, forgiveness and sacrifice, exploring how the values of Ramayana continue to find meaning in the lives of young Indians.
For Ranbir Kapoor, who portrays Lord Rama in Ramayana: Part One, the interaction offered an opportunity to hear how the next generation interprets a character deeply rooted in India’s cultural consciousness.
He said, “Rama’s story has been part of our lives for generations, and stepping into his shoes has been an incredibly humbling experience. What made this interaction special was hearing young minds engage with his story in their own way. It was a reminder of how differently each generation can connect with Rama while still finding something deeply familiar in his journey.”
Namit Malhotra, Producer of Ramayana, said, “Ramayana has given us generations of stories, values and lessons that continue to guide us even today. As we bring this epic to the big screen, it’s equally important that young people discover these values and find their own connection with them. What made this conversation special was the curiosity, honesty and perspective that these students brought to the discussion. It’s wonderful to see how a story that has been with us for thousands of years continues to resonate with a new generation.”
Director Nitesh Tiwari said, “The richness of Ramayana lies in the fact that alongside its larger-than-life moments, its characters face deeply human choices and emotions. As filmmakers, our responsibility was to preserve that emotional truth while bringing the story to the screen for a new generation. Hearing students question, challenge and interpret these characters in their own way was a wonderful reminder of why this story continues to endure.”
Ravie Dubey, who plays Lakshman, said, “Playing Lakshman gave me the opportunity to explore a relationship built on loyalty, love and an unwavering sense of duty. What I found interesting during this interaction was how young people viewed these relationships and choices from their own experiences. It made me look at Lakshman in new ways too, and that was one of the most rewarding parts of being part of this initiative.”
Har Yug Mein Ram reflects a shared endeavour by JioHotStar, the makers of Ramayana and I.I.M.U.N. to create meaningful conversations between generations around India’s cultural heritage and timeless values. By connecting the cast and creators of the film with thousands of students through both live and virtual participation, the initiative celebrates the enduring relevance of Ramayana and encourages young people to discover its teachings through their own questions and perspectives.
The special episode, produced for JioHotstar, will premiere exclusively on the platform, bringing this unique exchange to audiences across the country.
Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DfEUfYFsFVS/?vrfl=aG9oMzNxYTJobGlm
Ramayana: Part One, produced by Prime Focus Studios in association with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, is the first instalment of a two-part live-action cinematic event directed by Nitesh Tiwari and adapted by Shridhar Raghavan from Valmiki’s Ramayana. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, alongside an ensemble cast.
Ramayana: Part One releases worldwide in cinemas on November 5, 2026, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English, including IMAX 3D. Following its exclusive theatrical window, the film will be available on JioHotstar through a dedicated on-demand purchase offering.
