The anticipation for Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious two-part epic ‘Ramayana’ is reaching a fever pitch as the makers have finally unveiled the first look posters for two pivotal characters. Lara Dutta steps into the royal shoes of Queen Kaikeyi, looking every bit the regal monarch in elaborate traditional attire and heavy jewellery. Joining her is the versatile Sheeba Chadha, who takes on the role of the cunning Manthara, captured in her character poster holding her iconic staff.
These character reveals set the stage for the dramatic turning point in the epic tale. The makers teased the intensity of the narrative on social media, highlighting how Kaikeyi’s two fateful wishes and Manthara’s manipulative whispers serve as the catalyst for the kingdom’s darkest hour and the eventual shift in Lord Rama’s destiny. These new additions expand an already stellar ensemble that includes Arun Govil, who makes a nostalgic return to the franchise as King Dashrath after previously immortalizing Lord Rama on television.
The star-studded cast features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, the project is being treated as a grand cinematic event. Fans can mark their calendars for the first part of the saga, which is set to hit theaters worldwide on November 5, 2026, followed by the second installment in Diwali 2027.
This massive production will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, with IMAX screenings planned for an immersive experience. The distribution strategy is equally robust, with Sony Pictures handling global release duties outside of India, while Dharma Productions takes charge of the Hindi-speaking markets. As the pieces of this cinematic puzzle fall into place, the scale of this mythological adaptation continues to impress audiences across the country.