Suvendu Adhikari declares Ranbir's Ramayana tax-free in Bengal ahead of release

Amid growing anticipation for Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Ramayana, the Nitesh Tiwari-directed epic has been declared tax-free in West Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision on the occasion of Vijayadashami, adding a festive boost to the buzz surrounding the much-awaited film.Based on the Indian epic, Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The film also stars Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, with a sprawling ensemble bringing the mythological story to the big screen.The announcement comes as excitement around the film continues to build ahead of its planned theatrical release on November 5. With its ambitious scale, star-studded cast and retelling of one of India's most enduring epics, Ramayana has become one of the most closely watched upcoming film projects.Earlier, in the film’s pre-release event in Hyderabad, Yash urged audiences not to nitpick the VFX, arguing that the project represents a rare opportunity to take Indian cinema to a global stage. The internet, as it tends to do, had a few notes of its own. Speaking at the event, Yash praised producer Namit Malhotra for putting his reputation and money on the line to bring the ambitious project to life."Sometimes, when someone tries to do things like this. He has gambled his reputation and money to put this film on a global platform. Please don’t try to find small faults in the VFX. It will never happen again if we lose people like him (Namit) now. It will take more years. We will go back in time," he said. The film also stars Rakul Preet Singh, Kunal Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Faisal Malik and others in key roles.Ramayana will release in theatres on November 5.- Ends