Ranbir Kapoor's look as Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Why it took 18 months to design the jewellery

When the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana dropped, audiences noticed the serene expression, regal attire and the striking necklace resting across his chest. What many may not have realised is that the ornament alone carries centuries of symbolism, and is the result of more than 18 months of painstaking research.

For a film that aims to retell one of India's most revered epics on a global scale, authenticity has extended far beyond costumes and sets. The jewellery worn by the characters has been designed as an integral part of the storytelling, with every motif intended to reflect lineage, character, faith and purpose rather than simply serving as ornamentation.

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The makers collaborated with jewellery house Tribe Amrapali to create more than 5,000 handcrafted pieces, including necklaces, earrings, armlets and body ornaments, for the sprawling cast.

According to Tarang Arora, CEO and Creative Director, the assignment came with equal measures of excitement and responsibility.

"It has always felt like both an honour and a responsibility to design pieces for Lord Ram's character, who exists in the collective imagination of millions. Our role wasn't to reinterpret him, but to respectfully translate his aura and the purity he carried during that era. Translating those ideals into jewellery felt authentic, understated, and worthy of the epic's cinematic vision. It was liberating, and it also expanded our horizons as designers," he says.

A visual language rooted in mythology

Instead of relying on artistic imagination alone, the design team immersed itself in mythology, temple architecture, ancient sculptures and historical texts before sketching the first ornament.

"It wasn't a single turning point so much as a gradual realisation of the vastness of the era, drawn from countless books, temple texts, and sculptures," Arora explains. "This research formed the blueprint for everything that followed- from drafting, drawing and rendering to finally executing the designs. Every piece needed to be historically respectful and emotionally resonant."

That philosophy is perhaps best reflected in Lord Ram's statement necklace, weighing 335 grams and inspired by Kodanda, the divine bow associated with the prince of Ayodhya.

Rather than relying on lavish embellishment, the necklace layers together symbols drawn from Indian philosophy and mythology. Circular medallions reference the Dharma Chakra, sun motifs honour the Suryavanshi (Solar) dynasty, lotus patterns evoke purity and divinity, while floral detailing takes inspiration from Mithila's sacred gardens and the Pushp Vatika, where Ram and Sita first met.

Every motif tells a story

For the designers, symbolism dictated every creative decision.

"Every motif was chosen to serve the narrative and capture the aura Lord Ram carried in that era. We focused on symbols that reflected his identity, lineage, values and journey, ensuring each element had purpose rather than being purely decorative," Arora says.

The craftsmanship is equally intricate. Embossed relief work adds depth to floral motifs, engraved textures bring life to the metal surface, filigree-inspired detailing lends delicacy to the central pendant, while granulation-style beadwork frames the borders. Braided chains were assembled to resemble woven textiles while maintaining structural strength for filming.

More than jewellery

The challenge, however, wasn't limited to recreating ornaments from a bygone era. Every major character required a distinct visual identity rooted in mythology while remaining cohesive within the film's larger world. Asked which ornament proved the most difficult, Arora refuses to single out one.

"Every piece demanded its own time and research to translate into jewellery, drawing on so many different sources and forms of study. Each one presented its own unique challenge."

Contrary to the belief that adapting mythology restricts artistic freedom, he believes it actually offers creative direction. "Mythology never reduces creative freedom. It only gives direction while asking us to remain completely respectful of a legacy that has endured and been revered for generations."

Details audiences may miss

When audiences eventually watch Ramayana, many may admire the elaborate ornaments without recognising the layers of storytelling embedded within them. Arora hopes viewers take a closer look.

"Nothing was ever just ornamental. Every motif, metal, enamel and gemstone placement was designed to reflect a character, a purpose and the world of Ramayana. There isn't one hidden detail so much as an overall vastness and expansiveness. Each piece was crafted to complement its look, moment and scene, in keeping with the respect we owe to the epic."

Perhaps the scale of the undertaking is best captured by one number- over 5,000 individual jewellery pieces were created for the film.

"We hope audiences pay close attention to the design and detailing in each one," Arora says. "One of the most remarkable aspects is that every design decision, across every category of jewellery, tied back to a larger visual storytelling, grounded in extensive research. That authenticity is what brought Lord Ram's purity, dharma and the richness of his legacy to life."

As Ramayana gears up for its global release across Diwali 2026 and 2027, its jewellery promises to be far more than costume design. Every necklace, armlet and pendant has been crafted not merely to decorate its wearer, but to carry forward the symbolism of an epic that has shaped Indian civilisation for centuries.

Note- Photos were shared by Tribe Amrapali.