Hans Zimmer asked not to explain Ramayana to him, says Namit Malhotra: ‘He insisted AR Rahman's name should go first'

Time of India

2 days ago

Ramayana
continues to be one of the most anticipated cinematic spectacles in the making, and producer Namit Malhotra is slowly giving fans a glimpse into its ambitious scale. In a recent podcast with Prakhar Gupta, the DNEG and Prime Focus chairman revealed how The Lion King and Interstellar composer
Hans Zimmer
reacted when he was first introduced to the story of the Indian epic.
'So beautifully put by someone who doesn't know Ramayana'
Namit recalled that when he began explaining Ramayana to Zimmer, the latter stopped him midway. 'He asked me not to explain anything,' said Namit. Curious, he asked the composer why. 'Hans replied, 'It's clearly something beyond us. You and I don't need to explain it.''
Expanding on Zimmer's words, Namit quoted him saying: 'You don't have to explain it (Ramayana) to me.
Something that has lived through thousands of years, generations of people, and continues to be relevant after all of that time — you and I don't need to explain it. Something is there, why it is relevant even today. Let's acknowledge it and let's do the best we can because it's clearly something that's beyond us.'
For Namit, Zimmer's respectful response was humbling. 'I was like that is so beautifully put by someone who doesn't know anything about Ramayana.
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But he is giving reverence and saying just the fact that it exists and continues to be relevant... people feel emotionally about it and passionately about it. That's it. I did not need more.'
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When Zimmer insisted AR Rahman's name should go first
The mega-budget film brings together two titans of music, Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman, in a rare collaboration that is already being touted as historic. Namit shared what it's like to witness the duo working together: 'I have sometimes sat there and witnessed the two of them together.
I'm like... there is so much mutual respect, so much admiration for each other's work that, as artists, it's actually something to learn from.
'
He also recalled a touching moment of cultural exchange between the two maestros. While finalising the name placement in the promotional material, Zimmer said Rahman's name should be listed first (on the left). But Rahman gently responded, 'Sir, you are part of our culture.
You are our guest. We have invited you into this. So our culture says you come first, I come second.'
Ramayana budget crosses Rs 4000 crore
Backed by a reported production cost of USD 500 million (over Rs 4000 crore), Ramayana will be released as a duology. The first part, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is eyeing a Diwali 2026 release.
Ranbir Kapoor
will play Lord Rama, while Yash takes on the role of Ravana, with an ensemble cast that remains under wraps but is expected to include top-tier talent from across the industry.