# Nitesh Tiwari Casts Shobana as Ravan's Mother Kaikesi in 4000 Crore Ramayana Alongside Yash and Ranbir Kapoor > National Film Award winner Shobana has joined Nitesh Tiwari's epic Ramayana to portray Kaikesi, mother to Yash's Ravan. The two actors share an age difference of just 16 years in real life. **Type:** article · **Category:** Bollywood · **Published:** 2026-10-15 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/bollywood/nitesh-tiwari-ki-4000-karori-ramayana-men-shobana-nibhaengi-kaikesi-ka-kiradara-parde-para-yash-ki-man-banengi-neshanala-avorda-vi-47782 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Ramayana, Shobana, Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Nitesh Tiwari, Sai Pallavi, Kaikesi, Bollywood Anticipation surrounding director Nitesh Tiwari's cinematic retelling of the epic Ramayana has surged following the arrival of a brand new promo on October 15. Mounted on a massive scale with a budget of 4000 crore, the project presents Ram not merely as a divine deity, but as a resilient human figure carrying the world's hopes for salvation. While the production's visual effects and expansive star cast have generated significant conversation across the entertainment world, fresh focus has turned to the pivotal role of Kaikesi, the mother of Lanka king Ravan. National Film Award-winning performer Shobana will portray the character, anchoring an important chapter in the mythological narrative. ## Real Life Age Gap Between Yash and On-Screen Mother Shobana Kannada superstar Yash steps into the imposing role of Ravan, setting up an intriguing dynamic with his on-screen mother. Despite playing mother and son on the big screen, the age gap between Shobana and Yash stands at just 16 years. Born on March 21, 1970, Shobana is currently 56 years old. Yash was born on January 8, 1986, and is 40 years old. According to mythological lore, Kaikesi was the wife of sage Vishrava and gave birth to Ravan. Entrusting such a foundational role to a veteran performer like Shobana highlights the production's intent to bring gravitas to every character arc. ## A Distinguished Career Spanning Over 220 Feature Films Shobana ranks among the most celebrated artists across South Indian cinema, having worked in over 220 films throughout her career. Her filmography includes acclaimed performances across Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu cinema, earning numerous commercial blockbusters and prestigious honors, including the National Film Award for acting. Beyond her work in front of the camera, she is a distinguished Bharatnatyam dancer known globally for her classical artistry. Her inclusion alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Yash adds seasoned dramatic depth to an already star-studded production. ## Ensemble Cast, Groundbreaking Visuals, and Global Musical Collaboration The cinematic adaptation brings together prominent talent from across Indian cinema. Ranbir Kapoor takes on the central mantle of Lord Ram, while Sai Pallavi portrays Sita. The mythological ensemble is further strengthened by Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey stepping into the shoes of Lakshman. Producer Namit Malhotra is backing the ambitious venture, ensuring cutting-edge visual effects. On the musical front, the film features a historic collaboration between Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman and celebrated Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, uniting Indian classical depth with grand orchestral arrangements. ## Premiere Schedule for the Mythological Epic With promotional footage now circulating and the cast finalized, excitement has intensified among moviegoers. The ambitious cinematic universe will roll out in installments, allowing the expansive lore of the epic to be thoroughly explored. The first installment of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is officially scheduled to arrive in theatres worldwide on November 5, 2026. ## What this means for you The unveiling of new casting details and promotional footage for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana sets expectations for a landmark theatrical event that unites leading talent across multiple film industries. - **For Cinema Enthusiasts:** Audiences will witness a rare cross-industry collaboration between celebrated Hindi and South Indian artists on an unprecedented scale. Veteran actress Shobana sharing the screen with Yash brings dramatic weight to the mythological dynamics of Lanka. - **Visual Spectacle:** Backed by a 4000 crore budget, the production aims to deliver Hollywood-grade visual effects. Moviegoers can expect a technologically sophisticated visual treatment of the Indian epic. - **Musical Experience:** The partnership between A. R. Rahman and Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer promises a world-class auditory experience. Listeners can anticipate a blend of traditional Indian compositions with grand orchestral arrangements. - **Theatrical Timeline:** Fans planning to catch the epic in theatres can mark November 5, 2026, for the release of Part 1. Advance booking announcements and promotional material will build toward this premiere window. ## Why this happened The recent promo launch and character announcement for Kaikesi stem from the filmmakers' strategy to assemble an authentic, pan-Indian ensemble capable of carrying a massive mythological production. - **Dramatic Gravitas for Mythological Roles:** The character of Kaikesi requires seasoned theatrical presence to convey the lineage and origins of Ravan. The casting team chose National Award winner Shobana due to her extensive classical and cinematic background spanning 220 films. - **Human-Centric Storytelling Approach:** The new promo released on October 15 intentionally frames Ram as a human savior rather than an untouchable deity. Director Nitesh Tiwari is focusing on relatable emotional stakes to engage contemporary audiences globally. - **Unprecedented Production Scale:** With a budget reaching 4000 crore, producer Namit Malhotra aims to tap domestic and international markets. Bringing together A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer reflects the production's ambition to set a new benchmark for Indian epics on the global stage. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Who is playing the role of Kaikesi in the film Ramayana? Acclaimed National Film Award-winning South Indian actress Shobana plays Kaikesi, the mother of Ravan. ### 2. What is the real-life age difference between Shobana and Yash? Shobana is 56 years old while Yash is 40, creating an age gap of exactly 16 years between the on-screen mother and son. ### 3. Who are playing Lord Ram and Sita in the movie? Ranbir Kapoor plays the role of Lord Ram, while Sai Pallavi portrays Sita. ### 4. What is the reported production budget of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana? The mythological epic is being produced on an estimated budget of 4000 crore. ### 5. Who is cast as Hanuman and Lakshman in the film? Sunny Deol portrays Hanuman, while Ravi Dubey steps into the role of Lakshman. ### 6. Who is composing the music for Ramayana? The film's score is composed by A. R. Rahman alongside renowned Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer. ### 7. When is the first part of Ramayana scheduled to release in theatres? Part 1 of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is scheduled to premiere in cinemas on November 5, 2026. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._