The scale of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana extends well beyond its massive reported production budget. Art director Ramesh Andhale has revealed that Ravana’s throne alone cost approximately ₹1 crore, while Shurpanakha’s chariot required another ₹1.5 crore to construct. The revelations offer a glimpse into the extraordinary effort behind Ranbir Kapoor and Yash’s mythological epic, which arrived in theatres on November 5, 2026.
In an interview with Prabhat Khabar, Andhale discussed the production design and explained how the team constructed elaborate physical props instead of depending entirely on computer-generated imagery. His revelations also highlight the amount of time and craftsmanship invested in recreating the world of the Ramayana.
Ravana’s Golden Throne Took Four Months to Build
According to Andhale, Ravana’s throne was one of the most elaborate creations developed for the film. The production team initially prepared a clay model before constructing the actual structure using fibre. To achieve its royal appearance, the throne received 24-karat gold leafing, bringing its total production cost to approximately ₹1 crore.
The construction process took four months, reflecting the attention given to the visual representation of Ravana’s Lanka. The throne was designed to communicate the wealth, authority and grandeur associated with Yash’s character.
Shurpanakha’s chariot required even more money. Despite appearing in a single sequence involving her arrival at Rama’s hut, the functional model reportedly cost ₹1.5 crore and took three months to complete. The team had to ensure that the structure was not simply visually impressive but could also function properly during filming.
More Than 150 Sets Created for Ramayana
The two expensive props were only part of the production’s larger construction effort. Andhale revealed that his team created approximately 150 sets for the film, with construction work beginning in April 2024 at Mumbai’s Film City.
The art department also built a 24-foot-tall physical model of Jatayu to help actors perform their scenes with a real reference point. Ravana’s Pushpak Vimana was another ambitious project. Measuring approximately 50 feet in diameter, the enormous model had to be constructed in four separate sections because of its size.
Andhale also explained that the team created multiple design versions before finalising what appeared on screen. As he put it, “We create 10-15 versions of whatever you see on screen.”
Ramayana’s Production Scale Goes Beyond VFX
These revelations provide useful context about the production strategy behind Ramayana. Although visual effects remain essential for depicting its mythical environments and larger-than-life sequences, the filmmakers have also invested heavily in tangible sets and props.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, alongside Ravie Dubey and Sunny Deol. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the adaptation is planned as a two-part cinematic project, with the second instalment scheduled for 2028.
With ₹2.5 crore spent on just two prominent props, the art director’s revelations demonstrate how much detail has gone into building the film’s visual world. For audiences, these behind-the-scenes details add another dimension to understanding the scale of one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious mythological productions.
