The release of the first trailer for ‘Ramayana’ has once again brought filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari into the limelight. The ambitious mythological epic, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, marks one of the biggest projects of the director’s career. Over the years, Nitesh Tiwari has earned recognition for delivering films that combine emotional storytelling with strong performances and relatable themes. Before stepping into the world of mythological cinema, he had already established himself with several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.
An IIT graduate before entering Bollywood
Born on May 22, 1973, in Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh, Nitesh Tiwari completed his engineering degree in Metallurgy and Material Science from IIT Bombay in 1996. After graduating, he worked in the advertising industry, where he developed his creative and storytelling abilities before making the transition into filmmaking.
A memorable debut with ‘Chillar Party’
Nitesh Tiwari began his directorial journey with ‘Chillar Party’ in 2011, a children’s film that he co-directed. The movie received widespread appreciation for its heartwarming narrative and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film, giving the filmmaker an impressive start to his career.
‘Dangal ‘ became a global phenomenon
His biggest breakthrough arrived in 2016 with ‘Dangal’, the sports biographical drama starring Aamir Khan, Sanya Malhotra, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Zaira Wasim. Inspired by the lives of wrestlers Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat, the film emerged as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time. The movie also enjoyed extraordinary success overseas, particularly in China, making it a landmark achievement for Indian cinema.
‘Chhichhore ‘ won a National Award
In 2019, Nitesh Tiwari directed ‘Chhichhore’, a coming-of-age drama featuring Sushant Singh Rajput, Shraddha Kapoor, and an ensemble cast. The film explored friendship, academic pressure, failure, and mental health while striking an emotional chord with audiences. Its impact was recognised nationally when it received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Other films in his career
Apart from ‘Chillar Party’, ‘Dangal’, and ‘Chhichhore’, Nitesh Tiwari has directed films such as ‘Bhoothnath Returns’ and ‘Bawaal’. Alongside directing, he has also worked as a screenwriter and producer on several projects. Nitesh Tiwari is now directing ‘Ramayana’, a two-part mythological epic featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, Yash as Ravana among other star cast.The recently released trailer has generated significant attention online, with many viewers praising the film’s visuals and scale. ‘Ramayana: Part One’ is scheduled to arrive in theatres during Diwali 2026, while Part Two is expected to release in Diwali 2027.
