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Sitar Virtuoso Rishab Rikhiram Sharma Makes Bollywood Debut Scoring Nitesh Tiwaris Ramayan
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, the neo‑classical sitarist known for his work on music‑therapy projects, is set to compose the score for the Hindi epic Ramayan, the first part of Nitesh Tiwari’s two‑film saga. The composer will work alongside Academy Award winners Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, who are curating the film’s overall sonic landscape. The trailer, featuring Sharma’s title track, will launch worldwide on 24 July, with the film’s theatrical debut slated for the Diwali 2026 window.
Sharma’s journey to Bollywood began as the youngest and last disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar, a fact noted on his official website and confirmed by multiple media outlets. In recent years he has expanded the sitar’s role beyond traditional contexts, most notably with a sold‑out “Sitar for Mental Health” tour that spanned major Indian cities and international venues. The project used the instrument as a tool for sound therapy, mindfulness, and anxiety relief, earning Sharma recognition across both classical and contemporary circles.
Industry reports from the Deccan Chronicle indicate that Sharma will provide the trailer’s title track and contribute to key musical moments that underscore the film’s central characters—Lord Ram, Hanuman, and Ravana. Producers reportedly sought a psychological experience rather than a conventional background score. Sharma’s custom‑engineered electronic sitar, SITARA, is expected to bring a fresh twist to classical bhajans and original compositions.
Ramayan is directed by Nitesh Tiwari and stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Following Tiwari’s track record with high‑profile projects such as Dangal and Chhichhore, the first part is slated for a Diwali 2026 release, with a second installment projected for Diwali 2027. The schedule positions the epic as a major cultural event for the upcoming festival season.
At present the project is in the final stages of pre‑production. The trailer’s release on 24 July will mark Sharma’s Bollywood debut, and the Diwali 2026 launch will bring his sitar‑driven score to a wide audience. No further details have been announced regarding the full soundtrack or additional collaborators beyond Zimmer and Rahman. The collaboration is a notable moment for Indian classical musicians entering mainstream cinema and will be closely monitored by industry observers and fans alike.
Sharma’s journey to Bollywood began as the youngest and last disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar, a fact noted on his official website and confirmed by multiple media outlets. In recent years he has expanded the sitar’s role beyond traditional contexts, most notably with a sold‑out “Sitar for Mental Health” tour that spanned major Indian cities and international venues. The project used the instrument as a tool for sound therapy, mindfulness, and anxiety relief, earning Sharma recognition across both classical and contemporary circles.
Industry reports from the Deccan Chronicle indicate that Sharma will provide the trailer’s title track and contribute to key musical moments that underscore the film’s central characters—Lord Ram, Hanuman, and Ravana. Producers reportedly sought a psychological experience rather than a conventional background score. Sharma’s custom‑engineered electronic sitar, SITARA, is expected to bring a fresh twist to classical bhajans and original compositions.
Ramayan is directed by Nitesh Tiwari and stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Following Tiwari’s track record with high‑profile projects such as Dangal and Chhichhore, the first part is slated for a Diwali 2026 release, with a second installment projected for Diwali 2027. The schedule positions the epic as a major cultural event for the upcoming festival season.
At present the project is in the final stages of pre‑production. The trailer’s release on 24 July will mark Sharma’s Bollywood debut, and the Diwali 2026 launch will bring his sitar‑driven score to a wide audience. No further details have been announced regarding the full soundtrack or additional collaborators beyond Zimmer and Rahman. The collaboration is a notable moment for Indian classical musicians entering mainstream cinema and will be closely monitored by industry observers and fans alike.
