Guests at the premiere were welcomed into a vibrant setting inspired by the colours and traditions of Diwali; As Indian cinema finds its way back to Brazilian screens, the premiere offered an encouraging glimpse into the possibilities ahead
Our Bureau
São Paulo
Bringing together cinema, culture and the festive spirit of Diwali, Sony Brazil celebrated the Brazilian premiere of Ramayana: Rise of the Legend, with a special screening of the Hindi version of the movie for the Indian community in São Paulo.
The occasion marked a significant moment for Indian cinema in Brazil, with an Indian film returning to Brazilian cinema screens after nearly 20 years. More than just a film screening, the evening became a celebration of Indian heritage and the growing cultural connection between India and Brazil.
Guests at the premiere were welcomed into a vibrant setting inspired by the colours and traditions of Diwali. The programme was hosted by Mugdha C. Datay, Founder of Karmayaab Consultoria, who welcomed the gathering and highlighted the significance of bringing Indian cinema back to Brazilian screens, as well as the opportunities for deeper cultural exchange between the two countries.
Shobhan Saxena, an Indian journalist based in Sao Paulo since 2012, followed with an introduction to the significance of Diwali and the timeless epic of the Ramayana, offering the guests a glimpse into the cultural and spiritual heritage behind the iconi film.
The celebrations continued with performances showcasing the artistic connections between the two cultures. Indian classical dancer Gyanshree Karahe captivated the audience with a traditional dance performance, followed by an energetic Bollywood presentation by Feels Like India, a Brazilian Bollywood dance school led by Dysha Malani.
In a heartfelt gesture celebrating the spirit of Diwali and the bond between the two communities, a group of Indian women entrepreneurs of Sao Paulo, Mamta Bhatia, Nitasha Jaspal and Pragya Dixit, presented Camila Pacheco, Sony’s Marketing Head, with a specially-curated gift hamper.
Addressing the gathering, Camila Pacheco expressed her excitement about introducing the film to Brazilian audiences and being part of this important moment for Indian cinema in Brazil.
The highlight of the evening was the screening of Ramayana: Rise of the Legend. As the film concluded, the audience — Indian and Brazilian alike — stepped out having been transported into the epic world of the Ramayana. The enthusiastic response and conversations that followed reflected the film’s ability to transcend cultural boundaries, with many guests eager to watch the Portuguese dubbed version to be launched in theaters on 19th November and some already looking forward to the next instalment of the movie.
The evening was a reminder of cinema’s unique ability to connect cultures, create shared experiences and introduce audiences to stories beyond their own borders. As Indian cinema finds its way back to Brazilian screens, the premiere offered an encouraging glimpse into the possibilities ahead.
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is an ambitious cinematic adaptation of the Ramayana, one of India’s oldest and most revered epics, bringing the timeless story of Lord Rama to the big screen with cutting-edge visual effects, spectacular action and an international production team. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana.
The music brings together Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer and celebrated Indian composer A. R. Rahman. Combining India’s rich storytelling heritage with the scale and technology of contemporary global cinema, the film seeks to introduce this epic tale of duty, courage, sacrifice and the triumph of good over evil to audiences around the world.
