By – Prakarsh Kastwar
The fascination with the epic ‘Ramayana’ has recently reignited, thanks to director Nitesh Tiwari, known for his blockbuster ‘Dangal.’ Tiwari has been working on bringing the legendary story to life on the big screen for quite some time. A few months ago, some leaked images from the film’s set caused quite a stir, prompting the filmmaker to ban phones on set to maintain secrecy.
While Bollywood has seen many filmmakers attempt to depict the timeless saga of Ramayana, only a few have succeeded. Some tried to adapt the story to modern times but missed the mark, while others strayed too far from the original tale in their creative liberties.
The Buzz Around Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana
Last year’s release ‘Adipurush,’ which was also based on the Ramayana, aimed to showcase the epic using modern filmmaking techniques. However, despite its massive budget and extensive use of VFX, the film failed to connect with audiences and performed poorly at the box office.
Now, Nitesh Tiwari’s rendition of the Ramayana has revived interest in the ancient tale. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita in the lead roles. The project has already generated significant excitement, even though no official announcement regarding the film’s release date has been made.
Ramayana To Be Released in Three Parts
According to sources, Tiwari is planning to release his adaptation of the Ramayana in three parts. Currently, the first part is being filmed at Mumbai’s Film City. The first movie will cover the story from Lord Ram and Sita’s journey to Sita’s abduction by Ravana.
The second part will be dedicated to Hanuman’s journey, with Sunny Deol playing the iconic role of Lord Hanuman. This installment will explore Hanuman’s connection with Ram during the exile and Sita’s abduction. The third part will delve into the aftermath of Sita’s abduction, focusing on Ravana’s downfall.
Reportedly, all three films are being shot simultaneously to avoid a lengthy gap between releases.
An Impressive Star Cast
Aside from Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, reports suggest that Amitabh Bachchan will lend his voice to the character of Jatayu. Ravi Dubey is expected to play Lakshman, Lara Dutta will portray Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha, Arun Govil as King Dashrath, and Harman Baweja will take on the role of Vibhishan.
Filming for the first part is nearly complete, and Ranbir Kapoor has been following a strict diet and workout regime to transform into the character of Lord Ram. Fans are eagerly awaiting an official announcement from Nitesh Tiwari, who is yet to reveal the release dates of the much-anticipated trilogy.