Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi, has reportedly been submitted for consideration at the 99th Academy Awards. The development comes shortly after the Marathi film Gondhal was selected as India’s official entry in the International Feature Film category.
According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter India, the makers of the mythological epic have submitted the film for consideration at the upcoming Oscars. However, the filmmakers have not publicly confirmed the reported submission so far.
The reported move has drawn attention because Gondhal has already been chosen to represent India in the International Feature Film category. However, India’s official selection does not prevent other Indian films from independently seeking consideration in other Academy Award categories.
How Can Ramayana: Part 1 Compete at the Oscars Despite Gondhal?
The Academy Awards have separate eligibility rules for the International Feature Film category and the general award categories. A country’s official selection applies specifically to the International Feature Film category. Films from other countries, including India, can independently submit themselves for consideration in the general categories if they meet the Academy’s requirements.
This means Ramayana: Part 1 could pursue consideration without replacing or affecting Gondhal’s position as India’s official International Feature Film submission. The two films would be following different routes into the awards process.
For general Oscar consideration, a feature film must meet the Academy’s theatrical release requirements. Under the rules for the 99th Academy Awards, the film must have a qualifying theatrical run in at least one of six designated metropolitan areas in the United States.
These areas are Los Angeles County, New York City, the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta.
The film must complete a minimum seven-consecutive-day theatrical run at the same commercial cinema. It must also have at least three screenings each day, with at least one screening beginning between 6 pm and 10 pm daily. The screenings must be open to the public and require paid admission.
These are the standard theatrical eligibility requirements for general award categories. Films seeking Best Picture consideration must also meet additional distribution and inclusion criteria.
What Is the Status of Ramayana: Part 1’s Oscar Submission?
While the report has brought the film into the Oscar conversation, the reported submission should not be confused with an official nomination or confirmation of eligibility. The makers have yet to issue a public statement confirming the development.
The Academy’s submission deadline for general entry categories for the 99th Awards is November 12, 2026. The theatrical eligibility period runs until December 31, 2026, subject to the Academy’s rules.
The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027, in Los Angeles. Whether Ramayana: Part 1 progresses further in the awards process will depend on its eligibility and the Academy’s subsequent consideration.
More About Ramayana: Part 1
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part 1 features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The film also features Sunny Deol and other actors in key roles.
The first instalment of the two-part mythological epic has attracted considerable attention since its theatrical release. Its reported Oscar submission adds another development to the film’s growing international profile.
For now, the distinction remains important: Gondhal is India’s official entry for the International Feature Film category, while Ramayana: Part 1 has reportedly been submitted independently for broader Academy Awards consideration. The latter development remains unconfirmed by the film’s makers.
