After a 31-year hiatus, the celebrated animated film ‘Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama’ is set to return to theatres in India. This iconic Indo-Japanese production will release in four languages – Tamil, Telugu, English, and Hindi – on October 18, 2024. Screenwriter V Vijayendra Prasad, known for his work on blockbusters like ‘Baahubali’ and ‘RRR’, has added his creative touch to this new adaptation.

The anticipation for this re-release has been heightened by Geek Pictures India, which shared a teaser and a poster on social media on September 19. The post included the caption, “A tale as old as time, and forever alive in every heart. Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is coming to theatres across India in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and English on October 18!”

‘Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama’ was originally produced in 1992 as a collaborative effort between India’s Ram Mohan and Japan’s Yugo Sako. The film is based on the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, focusing on Prince Rama’s quest to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana. Arjun Aggarwal, co-founder of Geek Pictures India, emphasized the film’s unique appeal, stating, “The Ramayana in anime is a groundbreaking testament to the strength of Indo-Japan collaborations… bringing this epic to life in a way that’s never been seen before.”

While the film was praised for bringing the Ramayana to a global audience and fostering cultural exchange, it faced controversy in India due to concerns about how international filmmakers interpreted the revered epic. Despite the initial ban, the film’s return marks a significant cultural moment for fans of both animation and the epic tale.