Yash urges Indians to back Ramayana instead of criticising its Rs 4,000 crore budget

Yash thanked Kannada fans for repeatedly watching and defending Toxic despite its box-office failure. He acknowledged their support as he urged Indians to take pride in Ramayana and stop pulling the film down over its Rs 4,000 crore budget.

In Short

• Yash urges fans to stop criticising Ramayana's Rs 4,000 crore budget
• He thanks fans for supporting Toxic despite its poor box office
• Yash plays Ravana and also produces Ramayana

Actor Yash has asked Indians to stop pulling Ramayana down over its reported Rs 4,000 crore budget, urging audiences to take pride in a film he believes will represent the country on the world stage. The actor, who plays Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious two-part epic, made the appeal at the film’s latest trailer launch in his home ground Bengaluru, where he also thanked fans for standing by Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups despite its disappointing box-office run.

Yash, who is also a producer on Ramayana, said he had noticed the love Kannada fans showed Toxic and the fierce battles they fought to defend it amid criticism.

"And I have noticed everything – the extent of the love you showed, the fierce battles you fought on our behalf, and how – despite everything – you went to watch the film (Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups) and contributed to its box office success. I will say just one thing: I can never fully repay this debt," he said.

He went on to connect that support with the responsibility he now feels towards Ramayana. "I will strive to do an outstanding job in fulfilling the responsibility you have entrusted to me. You can speak of this film (Ramayana) with pride. I am the producer of this project. It is a work that has emerged from our midst to reach the entire world."

Yash also stressed the film’s larger significance, saying it would make a major impact and that the team was representing India. "I stand here on behalf of the people of Karnataka. Please, grant us your blessings," he added.

Watch his speech here:

His remarks come as Ramayana draws attention for its Rs 4,000 crore budget, making it one of the most ambitious Indian film projects to date. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Hanuman, alongside Yash as Ravana. Produced by Namit Malhotra and directed by Nitesh Tiwari, it will arrive in two parts, with the first scheduled for November 5 and the second for Diwali 2027.

The scale of Ramayana marks a sharp contrast with Yash’s previous release. Toxic, directed by Geetu Mohandas and featuring Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth and Tara Sutaria, earned around Rs 330 crore worldwide against a Rs 500 crore budget. Despite a strong opening, its collections dropped sharply amid negative reviews and online criticism.

Ramayana: Part 1 will hit theatres on November 5, 2026.

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