2026 Movie Guide: Ramayana, King, & Drishyam 3

New Delhi, December 30, 2025: As of late December 2025, the buzz surrounding the 2026 film calendar has reached a fever pitch. Trade analysts are predicting that 2026 will be the most lucrative year in Indian cinema history, driven by a perfect storm of mythological epics, high-octane action, and the conclusion of beloved franchises.

Here is your updated guide to the cinematic titans of 2026.

1. Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana: Part 1’

Expected Release: Diwali 2026

Undoubtedly the most ambitious project in Indian history, Ramayana is being produced on a scale never seen before. Ranbir Kapoor takes on the role of Lord Ram, with Sai Pallavi as Sita.

• The Latest: Reports confirm that Yash (of KGF fame) will portray Ravana, while Sunny Deol is set to play Hanuman.
• Production Status: The film is currently in an extensive post-production phase involving Oscar-winning VFX studio DNEG. To ensure the highest quality, Part 1 is locked for Diwali 2026, with Part 2 expected exactly one year later in 2027.

2. Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘King’

Expected Release: Eid 2026

Shah Rukh Khan is set to return to the “badass” persona that fans adore. King is an action thriller directed by Siddharth Anand (Pathaan) and Sujoy Ghosh.

• The Big Debut: This film marks the theatrical debut of Suhana Khan, who plays a protege to SRK’s seasoned assassin character.
• The Villain: In a casting masterstroke, Abhishek Bachchan has been signed as the primary antagonist.
• Update: Despite a brief production delay in late 2025 due to a minor injury sustained by SRK, the team resumed shooting in Poland this December, keeping the 2026 Eid window firmly in sight.

3. Drishyam 3: The Final Chapter

Release Date: October 2, 2026

The date October 2nd is legendary for fans of the Drishyam franchise. The makers have officially confirmed that the third and final installment will hit theaters on this symbolic date in 2026.

• The Plot: Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay Salgaonkar. The tagline “Aakhri Hissa Baaki Hai” (The final part remains) suggests a high-stakes conclusion where the family’s secrets might finally be unraveled.
• New Addition: While cast details remain tight, industry insiders suggest a new investigative foil will be introduced to challenge Vijay’s wits one last time.

4. Love & War: A Bhansali Spectacle

Expected Release: August 14, 2026

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is venturing into a “contemporary war-romance” with a powerhouse trio: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal.

• The Delay: Originally planned for earlier in the year, the shoot was extended until May 2026. It has now shifted to an Independence Day weekend release.
• The Conflict: This shift has reportedly caused a “logistical headache” for the Ramayana team, as both films feature Ranbir Kapoor and are now releasing within a few months of each other.

2026 Blockbuster Timeline

Movie	Primary Stars	Targeted Release
Border 2	Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan	Jan 23, 2026
King	Shah Rukh Khan, Suhana Khan	Eid (May/June) 2026
Love & War	Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt	August 14, 2026
Drishyam 3	Ajay Devgn, Tabu	Oct 2, 2026
Ramayana	Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi	Diwali (Nov) 2026

With these massive titles, 2026 is set to be a year where the box office is ruled by “Event Cinema.” Whether it’s the spiritual scale of Ramayana or the edge-of-the-seat tension of Drishyam 3, audiences are in for a historic ride.