Indian actors Ranbir Kapoor and Yash arrived at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday to promote Ramayana, a two-part film adaptation of one of Hinduism's most revered epics.
Kapoor, who plays Prince Rama, said appearing at the convention was a significant moment for the production as it seeks to introduce the ancient story to a global audience.
"I've always been a fan of comic conventions," Kapoor said. "To finally be here on the other side with a story, which is so ingrained in our culture, to bring that to a larger audience, it's really a proud moment for our entire team."
The film is based on the Ramayana, which dates back thousands of years and is a cornerstone of Indian culture.
The epic tells the story of Prince Rama, regarded as an incarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu, who is exiled for 14 years alongside his wife Sita, played by Sai Pallavi, and brother Lakshmana, played by Ravi Dubey.
After Sita is abducted, Rama confronts Ravana, the king of Lanka, portrayed by Yash.
Yash said Comic-Con was an ideal venue to showcase the project that will be distributed by Prime Focus Studios because of its audience's appreciation for large-scale fantasy storytelling.
"I think this is the right kind of crowd who really understand the nuances of this kind of film and the effort that goes behind it," he said. "If they're excited, they're the most important people."
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana has a reported budget of about US$500mil and will be released in two parts. The first instalment is scheduled to open in India on Nov 8 during the Diwali holiday, while the second is planned for release in 2027.
The filmmakers have mounted an international promotional campaign, including appearances in the United States and Britain, as they seek to attract audiences beyond India.
Kapoor said he was optimistic about the film's prospects.
"This one is a bit more special than a normal film," he said. "I have a good feeling about it."
San Diego Comic-Con is an annual multi-genre entertainment and comic book convention that takes place in San Diego, California, and celebrates comics, popular culture, and related media. – Reuters
