A powerful devotional rendition featuring Diljit Dosanjh, Sukhwinder Singh, Mohit Chauhan, Kailash Kher and Anirudh Ravichander accompanies Sunny Deol's much-awaited introduction as Lord Hanuman in Nitesh Tiwari's epic.
Swati Bhat
The much-awaited arrival of Lord Hanuman in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1 comes with a musical surprise that audiences are unlikely to forget. Adding a powerful devotional dimension to the film's closing moments, a new rendition of the iconic Hanuman Chalisa features the voice of popular singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh alongside four celebrated musical talents.
The special rendition brings together Diljit Dosanjh, Sukhwinder Singh, Mohit Chauhan, Kailash Kher and Anirudh Ravichander. Rather than relying on a single playback voice, the makers have assembled an ensemble of singers with distinctly different musical identities, giving the timeless devotional composition a broader musical character.
The track plays during the post-credit sequence introducing Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. The sequence deliberately holds back the complete visual reveal, offering glimpses of the character before a wider shot shows him soaring through the air with his gada and invoking Jai Shri Ram. The Hanuman Chalisa continues as the credits roll, turning the closing sequence into an important bridge towards the next instalment.
An interesting musical collaboration
What makes this collaboration particularly interesting is the coming together of artists representing different musical traditions and audiences. Diljit's Punjabi musical identity, Sukhwinder's powerful vocal energy, Mohit's melodic sensibility, Kailash's devotional association and Anirudh's contemporary musical influence create an unusual combination for a project of this scale.
The film's musical landscape is itself ambitious, with Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer collaborating with A. R. Rahman on the score. The inclusion of five prominent voices in the Hanuman Chalisa further highlights the importance of music in establishing the film's cultural and emotional identity.
Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, Ramayana: Part 1 introduces audiences to the opening chapter of the epic. Sunny Deol's appearance as Hanuman and the introduction of Raghav Juyal as Meghnath also establish the narrative groundwork for the sequel, expected in 2028.
More than an end-credit surprise
The decision to place Hanuman's introduction towards the end is an interesting storytelling choice. Instead of revealing every major character at once, the film reserves one of its most anticipated appearances for a moment that naturally builds curiosity about the next chapter.
The Hanuman Chalisa adds another layer to that anticipation. It is not simply a familiar devotional composition placed against a visual spectacle; it connects the character's arrival with the spiritual and emotional significance that Hanuman holds for generations of audiences.
With five celebrated voices coming together for one of India's most recognisable devotional hymns, Ramayana: Part 1 has given viewers another reason to stay back until the final credits.
The inside story and editorial insights
There are some important angles worth highlighting:
1. Five singers, five musical identities
The most interesting aspect is the unusual combination of five singers. It brings together mainstream Bollywood, Punjabi music, devotional singing and contemporary South Indian music. This makes the track a pan-Indian musical collaboration rather than simply a celebrity-led devotional recording.
2. Sunny Deol's introduction is strategically positioned
The makers have kept Hanuman's full appearance under wraps in the first instalment. This is a deliberate narrative hook: audiences get a glimpse of the character without receiving the complete reveal. It creates anticipation for his expanded role in Part 2.
3. The Hans Zimmer–A. R. Rahman connection
The film's musical score is another major talking point. The collaboration between Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman gives the production an international musical dimension, while the Hanuman Chalisa brings the devotional element into the foreground.
4. An important distinction about the recording
There is no verified public information in the reports I found about the individual recording sessions, who initiated the five-singer combination, how the vocal arrangement was developed or whether Diljit was specifically approached for a solo version. These would be interesting behind-the-scenes stories, but they should not be presented as facts without confirmation.
