United News of Bangladesh

Actor Sai Pallavi has said she turned down a reported Rs 2 crore endorsement deal for a fairness cream because she did not want to promote products that could make people feel insecure about their skin colour. The actor, who will play Sita in Ramayana: Part 1, said she believes people should feel confident about their natural appearance rather than try to meet society's beauty standards. Speaking in an earlier interview with Bollywood Hungama, Sai Pallavi said she has never endorsed beauty products because she rarely uses makeup and prefers to appear naturally on screen. "You need to be confident about who you are and your skin colour," she said. The actor explained that her decision was also influenced by her younger sister's experiences. She recalled that her sister was often encouraged to eat certain foods with the belief that they would make her fairer, which deeply upset her. "I felt I needed to stand up for that, at least for my sister's sake. Otherwise, what would I do with all that money?" Sai Pallavi said. She also shared that she had struggled with acne before entering the film industry and had tried many skincare products because she felt self-conscious about her appearance. "I didn't want to leave home because I thought people would only notice my pimples," she said. However, after making her acting debut in the 2015 Malayalam film Premam, she realised audiences accepted her despite her acne, which gave her greater confidence. Sai Pallavi said many young people later told her they felt encouraged after seeing someone succeed without hiding such skin conditions. She added that this inspired her to avoid promoting products that might make people question their appearance or feel less confident about themselves. While explaining her decision, the actor said she respects those who choose to endorse such brands but wanted to remain true to her own beliefs. Source: NDTV

In the heart of Indian cinematic evolution comes Ramayana, a project that redefines scale, vision, and storytelling. This epic fantasy is slated to arrive in two majestic chapters during Diwali 2026 and 2027. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Ranbir Kapoor, the film has sparked widespread buzz, resonating beyond Indian borders. Uniting acclaimed artists behind its making, the production sets a staggering new benchmark in Indian film budgets. Let’s take a concise yet insightful look at this recently buzzworthy and highly ambitious venture. Ramayana’s Star-studded Cast Ranbir Kapoor portrays Lord Rama, and Sai Pallavi assumes the role of Mata Sita. Yash embodies Ravan while Sunny Deol steps into the revered character of Hanuman. The ensemble cast also includes Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal, Vivek Oberoi, Ravi Dubey, and Arun Govil. World-class Team Crew Directed by the renowned Nitesh Tiwari, this epic project is supported by Namit Malhotra, an eight-time Oscar-winning producer and the CEO of DNEG and Prime Focus Studios. Joining these two production houses is Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. DNEG is the global VFX powerhouse responsible for visual effects in acclaimed films like ‘Dune’, ‘Oppenheimer’, and ‘Interstellar’. Moreover, ‘Ramayana’ is being filmed specifically for IMAX. Read more: Top 10 Hindi Films Releasing in Bollywood in July 2025 The soundtrack embodies a unique East-meets-West collaboration, featuring two Academy Award-winning composers. India’s legendary AR Rahman joins forces with Hans Zimmer, a legendary German composer. His iconic scores include ‘The Lion King’ (1994), ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008), ‘Inception’ (2010), and the recent work on the two-part ‘Dune’ series. Adding to the film’s intensity, action sequences are crafted by Guy Norris, famed for his choreography in ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. Record-breaking Budget The Ramayana franchise commands an unprecedented production budget of Rs 1600 crore. The initial instalment alone accounts for Rs 900 crore, with Rs 700 crore allocated for the sequel. The reduced budget for the second part stems from the extensive expenditure on world-building and asset creation in the first film. It leaves primarily action sequences to be filmed in the follow-up. However, this colossal investment establishes the series as the most expensive in Indian cinema history. Read more: Best 10 Korean Dramas Releasing in July 2025 Campaign across Two Continents ‘Ramayana: The Introduction’ premiered simultaneously in nine major Indian cities on July 3. The cities are Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Pune. This groundbreaking launch marked an unprecedented moment in Indian movie history. Just one day later, the mythological movie crossed continents, making a bold statement in New York’s Times Square. Its striking visuals illuminated one of the world’s most iconic digital billboards, capturing global attention. Verdict Buzz is surging around ‘Ramayana’, powered by the star trio – Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash. Namit Malhotra’s globally acclaimed production takes India’s most revered myth to new heights with cutting-edge technology. The collaboration of AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack further elevates its stature. The eye-popping Rs 1600 crore budget marks a new pinnacle of Indian filmmaking. In essence, the fusion of exceptional talents firmly positions the project as India’s definitive answer to the Hollywood blockbuster. Read more: Best South Indian Movies Releasing in July 2025