'Ramayana' eyes Oscar recognition: Ranbir Kapoor's film joins 99th Academy Awards race

Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend', starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi, has entered the race for the 99th Academy Awards. The film has reportedly been submitted for consideration, adding another Indian production to the list of movies seeking recognition at the prestigious ceremony.

NDTV reports that this entry comes as the Marathi film 'Gondhal' prepares to represent India in the International Feature Film category.India's official Oscar selection does not prevent other domestic productions from entering the competition. Individual films can pursue eligibility in different categories by fulfilling the Academy's prescribed requirements. The process for the main categories also differs from the selection procedure followed for International Feature Film submissions.

How 'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend' can enter the Oscars race

The Academy allows films to compete in its main categories if they satisfy specific theatrical release conditions. A production must have a commercial screening for seven consecutive days in an eligible US city. The qualifying locations include Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta.After completing the required theatrical engagement, the filmmaker or distributor must submit the necessary entry form.

Details about the production must also be provided to the Academy. These requirements allow eligible films to seek consideration in the relevant categories. Therefore, India's selection of one movie as its official entry does not automatically exclude other Indian productions from the main Oscar competition.

International feature film follows a different process

The International Feature Film category operates under a separate system. Each country can nominate one movie through its recognised selection committee.

This process is generally described as the 'one country, one film' rule.However, the Academy has also introduced another route for international productions. Movies that win certain awards at selected international film festivals can qualify independently. This provides an opportunity for films that were not chosen as their country's official submission to compete in the category.

'Gondhal' and 'Angh' secure their places

Marathi film 'Gondhal' has been selected as India's official submission for the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.

The selection makes it the country's nominated representative under the traditional process.Meanwhile, Naga-language film 'Angh' has also earned eligibility for the category. The movie secured the Platform Award at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Its festival recognition has opened an independent qualification route, separate from India's official selection.The two developments can coexist because the Academy recognises more than one pathway for international films.

While 'Gondhal' will represent India's official choice, 'Angh' can pursue consideration through its festival award.

'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend' continues its box-office success

Apart from its reported Oscar submission, 'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend' is also enjoying a strong theatrical performance. The mythological epic crossed the Rs 800 cr mark worldwide within six days of its release. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as the lead, alongside Yash and Sai Pallavi.According to Sacnilk, the movie collected Rs 94.10 cr net in India on Tuesday, November 10. Its domestic gross earnings reached Rs 526.50 cr. Overseas collections helped take its worldwide gross to Rs 823.50 cr.