The English trailer of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1 is out, and it is not just the scale that has people talking. The trailer uses DNEG's AI-powered lip-sync technology to make the actors' mouth movements match the English dialogue. Producer Namit Malhotra has now explained how this works.
Unlike regular dubbed versions — where a new voice track is simply placed over the original footage — the English version of Ramayana: Part 1 takes a different route. DNEG's technology digitally adjusts the actors' mouth movements so they line up with the English words being spoken.
How DNEG's AI Lip-Sync Technology Works in Ramayana
Namit Malhotra revealed how the team developed a bespoke AI-powered workflow for the film. The technology enables the characters' lip movements to align with the English dialogue, creating a more natural viewing experience. According to NDTV, Malhotra described this as a "man-machine combo" — where human performances are enhanced by AI rather than replaced by it.
The process involves analyzing the actor's facial expressions and mouth movements. The AI then adjusts the lip movements to fit the new language track. This is a major step up from traditional dubbing, where the voice changes but the lips stay the same — which often looks off to audiences.
Brahma AI's Role in Lip-Sync Accuracy
Malhotra's company DNEG has been working with an AI system called Brahma AI. This tool plays a vital role in ensuring accurate lip-sync for characters in every language. As confirmed by Namit Malhotra during WAVES 2025, Ramayana will be dubbed using advanced AI-driven lip-syncing technology, ensuring that the characters' mouth movements match the dialogue in each version of the film.
"Now, this AI performs powered lip-syncing by analyzing the actor's facial expressions and mouth movements, leading to near-perfect dubbing." — Instagram
The English trailer has already won praise from fans who noticed the smooth lip-sync. Social media posts highlight how the technology leaves audiences amazed at how natural the English version looks. According to Punjabi Mania, the AI-driven lip-syncing technology has been a key talking point among viewers.
What This Means for the Film's Global Release
Ramayana: Part 1 is one of the most anticipated Indian films, and the English trailer gives international audiences a preview of what is coming. The use of AI lip-sync technology is significant because it removes one of the biggest barriers for non-Hindi speaking audiences — the distraction of mismatched lips in dubbed versions.
- The English trailer was released by Sony Pictures for worldwide audiences
- DNEG's AI technology adjusts mouth movements digitally rather than using conventional dubbing
- Brahma AI is used for accurate lip-sync in multiple languages
- The process combines human performances with AI for a natural result
Malhotra explained the entire process to ET Now, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how the technology was built specifically for this film. The bespoke workflow was developed to handle the unique challenges of syncing dialogue for an epic of this scale.
Our Take: AI Lip-Sync Is a Game Changer for Global Cinema
To put it plainly, this is a big deal — not just for Ramayana, but for how Indian cinema reaches global audiences. For years, dubbed films have felt "off" because the lips never match the words. Audiences tolerate it, but it pulls you out of the story.
DNEG's approach changes that. By using AI to adjust lip movements while keeping the actor's original performance intact, the film can feel native in every language. That matters for a film like Ramayana, which is aiming for a worldwide release. If the technology works as well in the full film as it does in the trailer, it could set a new standard for how international versions of big films are made.
The key here is the "man-machine combo" — the AI is not replacing the actors, it is enhancing their performances. That is the right way to use this technology. In our view, this is a smart move by the team, and it gives audiences a reason to be excited about the English version, not just the original.