Anticipation is mounting around director Nitesh Tiwari's large-scale cinematic retelling of the mythological epic Ramayana. The ambitious project is penned by Nitesh Tiwari alongside Sridhar Raghavan, with Namit Malhotra and Yash serving as producers. The film has been structured as a two-part spectacle, with the first installment slated to arrive in theatres on Diwali, November 5, 2026, while the second chapter is scheduled to follow during the subsequent Diwali festive window.
The Divine Center: Lord Ram and Goddess Sita
At the center of this mythological production are two prominent names taking on the most revered roles in Indian lore. Ranbir Kapoor portrays Lord Ram, guiding the emotional and heroic arc of the saga. Pairing with him for the very first time on screen is Sai Pallavi, who steps into the role of Goddess Sita. This venture also marks Sai Pallavi's debut in Hindi cinema, making the central pairing a key focal point for cinema enthusiasts.
The Royal House of Ayodhya and the Four Brothers
The depiction of Ayodhya's royal household brings together actors from various backgrounds. Ravi Dubey takes on the role of Lakshman alongside Ranbir Kapoor's Ram. Ravi Dubey has publicly shared his excitement regarding the project, describing it as immense good fortune to land such a massive opportunity for his Bollywood debut. Bharat is being portrayed by Marathi actor Adinath Kothare, while Nitesh Sharma steps in as Shatrughna.
In a historic casting turn, veteran actor Arun Govil, widely remembered for playing Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's classic television series, portrays King Dasharatha in this cinematic adaptation. King Dasharatha's wives are played by a notable ensemble: Lara Dutta portrays Kaikeyi, the mother of Bharat and queen to Dasharatha. Alongside her, South Indian actress Indira Krishnan portrays Mata Kaushalya, while Sonal Jha appears as Sumitra. Meanwhile, Sheeba Chaddha takes on the pivotal character of Manthara, and Mukesh Tiwari appears as Sage Agastya.
Sita's Sisters from Janakpur
The makers have expanded the narrative scope by giving distinct screen presence to Goddess Sita's sisters. Urmila is played by Sonia Balani, while Rhea Kapoor takes up the role of Mandavi. Completing the sisterhood from Mithila, Surbhi Das plays Shrutakirti, rounding out the depiction of the royal brides of the Raghu dynasty.
The Realm of Lanka: Ravana and His Legion
The opposing force of the epic is anchored by Kannada star Yash, who takes on the menacing role of Lankesh Ravana. Yash has already appeared as Ravana across multiple official character posters. His primary household features Kajal Aggarwal portraying Mandodari, the queen consort of Lanka. Rakul Preet Singh embodies Ravana's sister Surpanakha, with her distinct look previously unveiled by the production team.
Ravana's powerful family and demonic allies include Raghav Juyal as the formidable warrior prince Meghnad, while Faisal Malik steps into the towering shoes of Kumbhakarna. The wider demonic forces and associates feature Parminder Chadda as Subahu, Saurabh Sachdeva as Maricha, Kanchan Chetal as Tataka, and Chetan Hansraj as Sumali.
Jatayu's Voice and the Secrecy Around Bajrang Bali
The revered bird warrior Jatayu is also an essential element of the production, with veteran performer Anupam Kher lending his voice to the character. In all, the production brings together approximately 33 to 34 actors across key narrative beats. One of the most talked-about casting decisions remains Sunny Deol, whose participation has been kept under strict secrecy by the filmmakers. Sunny Deol is slated to depict Bajrang Bali at the age of 69, an appearance that has neither been teased in footage nor revealed through official character posters, heightening public curiosity as the release draws near.
