"The ₹4,000 Crore Signal: India’s Moment to Lead the Global Creative Economy"

Why the Ramayana movie is special

In a recent podcast, Namit Malhotra — CEO of DNEG and founder of Prime Focus — shared his profound, lifelong passion for the Ramayana. He sees this ambitious two-part cinematic retelling not merely as entertainment but as a cultural phenomenon: a rare chance to bring India’s foundational epic to life in a grand, immersive format that resonates with global audiences.

With cutting-edge VFX and a stellar cast including Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, the film aims to blend modern visual spectacle with deep-rooted storytelling. It represents a bold step forward for Indian cinema, pushing technological and artistic boundaries while celebrating one of the country's most cherished narratives.

Is the ₹4,000 crore (US$500M) budget for real?

Yes — Namit Malhotra has confirmed that the combined budgets for both parts of Ramayana are expected to reach nearly half a billion dollars, making it India’s most expensive film project ever. While some skeptics have questioned whether such an enormous investment can be recouped — often comparing it to Hollywood blockbusters like Avatar or Avengers— Malhotra remains confident. He believes that creating a large-scale, culturally rich spectacle not only justifies the cost but also sets a new global benchmark for Indian cinema.

What does this mean for India & its AVGC artists?Malhotra hails this as a moment of triumph for the Indian AVGC (Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics) community. With DNEG’s global VFX pedigree backing the film—including Oscar-winning work for Dune and Tenet—he believes this is “the hardest VFX project we’ve ever done ". Such scale empowers Indian artists to showcase their skills globally, proving they can deliver on par with Hollywood.

Is India finally taking its global artistic bow?Absolutely. With India-driven budgets and talent matching top-tier global productions, this Ramayana marks a pivotal shift. It's not just about money—it signals global recognition for India’s creative studios, artists, and storytellers in a way that was unthinkable just a few years ago.

ArtistMela & TwelveTech Labs: A Shared Vision

This blockbuster momentum dovetails beautifully with ArtistMela by TwelveTech Labs, a platform we’re building to elevate creatives in the digital AVGC space. Here’s how:

1. Celebrating Indian narrative artJust as Ramayana revives a cultural epic for new audiences, ArtistMela empowers storytellers—illustrators, VFX artists, animators—to shape narratives rooted in Indian heritage.

2. Showcasing global talentWith a platform that highlights portfolios, connects creators, and supports VFX/journey projects, ArtistMela amplifies the very creative energy that drives films like Ramayana.

3. Building global bridgesAs Indian AVGC artists break into Hollywood-grade productions, ArtistMela facilitates connections with overseas studios, potential collaborators, and funding avenues—mirroring the global reach of Ramayana.

A Personal Reflection

As someone deeply invested in both Ramayana and ArtistMela, I see more than spectacle—I see cultural renaissance. The ₹4,000 crore investment proves India believes in its stories and its creative voices. Indian artists are stepping onto the world stage, and platforms like ArtistMela are ensuring they not only shine but lead.

It’s our turn to turn this wave of recognition into lasting infrastructure—for artists, creators, and storytellers nationwide. With Artistmela.com , we aims to capture this momentum: to support and elevate the Indian AVGC ecosystem, one portfolio, one project, one collaboration at a time.