KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 9 -- Gods, demons, flying chariots and larger-than-life battles take centre stage in Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, Nitesh Tiwari's ambitious big-screen adaptation of one of Hinduism's most revered epics.

With sweeping visuals, elaborate world-building and a production scale rarely seen in Indian cinema, the first instalment transforms the ancient tale of Lord Rama into a lavish cinematic spectacle.

Attributed to the poet-sage Valmiki, the Ramayana chronicles Rama's devotion to righteousness, the abduction of his wife Sita by the 10-headed demon king Ravana, and the enduring battle between good and evil.

The epic has inspired numerous film and television adaptations over the decades, but Tiwari's version sets its sights...