Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is shaping up to be one of Indian cinema’s most crowded mythological productions, bringing together actors from Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Marathi cinema. While Ranbir Kapoor,
Sai Pallavi, Yash and Sunny Deol have remained at the centre of the film’s publicity, the supporting cast is equally extensive.
More names were formally linked to their characters during the Pratham Sankalp event at Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, where the team screened four minutes of footage and unveiled a special comic book introducing the film’s principal figures.
The promotional material has also settled at least one widely circulated casting rumour. Amitabh Bachchan is not voicing Jatayu. That role has gone to Anupam Kher.
Here is a breakdown of who plays whom in Ramayana.
Ranbir Kapoor And Sai Pallavi Lead As Rama And Sita
Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, the prince of Ayodhya whose exile, separation from Sita and war against Ravana form the central narrative of the epic.
Sai Pallavi has been cast as Mata Sita. Her character’s abduction by Ravana sets Rama’s journey towards Lanka in motion, but the role extends far beyond that incident. Sita is also central to the story’s examination of resilience, duty, sacrifice and dignity.
Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman, Rama’s devoted younger brother who accompanies him and Sita during their exile. Adinath Kothare appears as Bharat, while Nitish Sharma plays Shatrughna, completing the four princes of Ayodhya.
Arun Govil Returns To The Ramayana World As Dasharath
Arun Govil, who remains closely associated with Lord Rama because of Ramanand Sagar’s television adaptation, takes on a different role in Tiwari’s film. He plays King Dasharath, the father of Rama, Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughna.
Indira Krishnan portrays Kaushalya, Rama’s mother. Lara Dutta plays Kaikeyi, whose two boons from Dasharath lead to Rama’s 14-year exile and Bharat’s proposed coronation.
Sonal Jha has been cast as Sumitra, the mother of Lakshman and Shatrughna. Seeba Chaddha plays Manthara, Kaikeyi’s attendant whose intervention changes the course of the royal succession and, eventually, the entire story.
Shishir Sharma appears as Vashishtha, the royal priest and spiritual guide of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Ajinkya Deo plays Vishwamitra, the sage who takes Rama and Lakshman away from Ayodhya to confront demons threatening sacred rituals.
Yash Plays Ravana, With Kajal Aggarwal As Mandodari
Yash steps into the role of Ravana, the ruler of Lanka and the principal antagonist of the film. The character is expected to receive substantial screen time, with the production assembling a full supporting cast around Ravana’s family and kingdom.
Kajal Aggarwal plays Mandodari, Ravana’s queen, while Shobhana appears as Kaikesi, his mother.
Harish Uthaman portrays Vibhishana, Ravana’s younger brother who eventually rejects his actions and supports Rama. Faisal Malik plays Kumbhakarna, the giant warrior and another of Ravana’s brothers.
Vivek Oberoi has been cast as Vidyutjihva, while Rakul Preet Singh plays Shurpanakha. Her encounter with Rama and Lakshman becomes a crucial turning point, setting off a chain of events that leads to Sita’s abduction.
Sunny Deol Takes On Hanuman
Sunny Deol plays Lord Hanuman, one of the most consequential characters in the epic. Hanuman becomes Rama’s ally, locates Sita in Lanka and plays a decisive role in the war against Ravana.
Given Deol’s action-heavy screen image, his casting has been among the film’s most discussed choices. The role is expected to combine physical power with Hanuman’s unwavering devotion to Rama.
Kunal Kapoor plays Lord Indra, while Mukesh Tiwari appears as Sage Agastya, who guides Rama and provides him with knowledge and divine assistance during his journey.
Anupam Kher Voices Jatayu, Not Amitabh Bachchan
One of the biggest clarifications emerging from the Delhi event concerns Jatayu. Contrary to reports linking Amitabh Bachchan to the part, the film’s comic book confirms that Anupam Kher is providing the character’s voice.
Jatayu, the noble bird who attempts to rescue Sita from Ravana, has a brief but emotionally significant role. Director Nitesh Tiwari also teased the scale of the confrontation between Jatayu and Ravana.
“Ravan aur Jatayu ka yudh kitna romanchak ho sakta hai, jab aap film dekhenge aap samajh sakte hain,” he said, suggesting that the sequence has been treated as a major action set piece.
Who Plays The Demons From Rama’s Early Journey?
Saurabh Sachdeva plays Mareech, the demon who assumes the form of a golden deer to lure Rama away from Sita. Kanchan Chetan portrays Tadaka, while Parminder Chhadha plays Subahu.
These characters appear during the earlier stages of Rama and Lakshman’s journey with Vishwamitra and help establish the brothers as warriors before the larger conflict with Lanka begins.
The film’s trailer is scheduled to be released worldwide on July 24, 2026, offering audiences their first extended look at this enormous ensemble in character.
