Some stars command attention the moment they enter a room. Others completely transform it. Kannada actor Yash did just that during the launch event of Ramayana: Part 1 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Saturday, leaving a lasting impression despite spending only a few minutes on stage.
His appearance lasted barely five minutes, but it was enough to alter the atmosphere entirely. An event already packed with leading actors, filmmakers, industry figures and media personnel suddenly shifted its focus to one person. The energy surged, cheers echoed through the venue and, for those brief moments, Yash became the undeniable centre of attention.
The event marked the grand unveiling of Ramayana: Part 1, which is slated for a worldwide release during Diwali 2026. Designed as a large-scale launch, the evening featured elaborate staging, dramatic lighting and a highly anticipated first look at the film's trailer.
Several prominent personalities attended the event, including Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh, Karan Johar, Arun Govil and director Nitesh Tiwari, along with producer Namit Malhotra. The audience had gathered primarily for the trailer screening, but Yash's entrance quickly became one of the defining moments of the evening.
As host Kumar Vishwas prepared to introduce another screening of the trailer, the lights dimmed and the audience anticipated the film's presentation. Instead, Vishwas began reciting a dramatic introduction contrasting light with darkness and good with evil, hinting at the arrival of Ravana.
Moments later, a single spotlight illuminated the centre of the hall as Yash walked onto the stage.
The audience erupted instantly, with chants of "Yash" filling the auditorium alongside cheers for his iconic KGF character, Rocky Bhai, and references to his upcoming film Toxic. His confident walk and commanding screen presence immediately drew comparisons to the portrayal of Ravana seen in the trailer.
Yash greeted the audience with a "Namaskara" in Kannada before briefly addressing them in Hindi and then continuing in English. Throughout his interaction, the enthusiasm in the hall remained undiminished.
Speaking about Ramayana, Yash praised producer Namit Malhotra's vision of presenting the epic on a global scale. He also commended Ranbir Kapoor's dedication to portraying Lord Ram, expressing confidence that audiences would appreciate the actor's commitment to the role.
Following his remarks, the trailer was screened, showcasing the expansive visual scale of the film. While introducing the central characters and the larger world of the epic, the preview devoted considerable attention to Ravana, whose portrayal by Yash emerged as one of its most striking elements.
His performance conveyed menace, authority and charisma, making the character a dominant presence throughout the trailer. Even in scenes shared with other principal characters, Yash's screen presence stood out, giving Ravana a commanding identity within the narrative.
The trailer also highlighted the film's ambitious visual effects and production scale, reflecting an effort to deliver one of the most technically elaborate adaptations of the Ramayana produced in Indian cinema.
Yash has previously built a reputation for creating memorable larger-than-life characters, most notably through Rocky in the KGF franchise. With Ramayana, he appears poised to present another distinctive interpretation, this time as Ravana.
Although his appearance at the launch event was brief, it significantly shaped the evening's atmosphere and generated considerable excitement around his role in the film.
The global trailer of Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled to premiere on July 24, ahead of the film's worldwide theatrical release during Diwali 2026. Positioned as a grand retelling of the epic, the film promises a blend of mythology, emotion, visual spectacle and large-scale storytelling.
If the launch event and its first glimpse are any indication, one of the film's most closely watched performances is likely to be Yash's portrayal of Ravana.
