Lara Dutta is back. And she isn't playing the girl next door. The former Miss World takes on the role of Queen Kaikeyi in Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated Ramayana, a part that demands a certain icy authority. The new poster shows her in regal traditional attire, surrounded by elaborate jewellery, but the real story is in the caption: “Two wishes that would betray a father’s love.” It’s a heavy lift for an actor who has largely stayed away from the spotlight since 2024. Her presence signals that this isn’t just another mythological retelling; it’s a character study of betrayal.
Beside Kaikeyi stands Manthara, played by Sheeba Chadha. In the source text, Manthara is the catalyst—the whispering voice that turns a mother’s affection into a kingdom’s darkest hour. Chadha’s poster depicts her holding a staff, a visual shorthand for influence and control. While Kaikeyi executes the curse, Manthara plants the seed. The film leans hard on this dynamic, suggesting the narrative will focus less on battle scenes and more on the psychological warfare within the royal household of Ayodhya.
This announcement follows the buzz around Arun Govil’s casting as King Dashrath. For many fans, Govil is inseparable from his 1987 television portrayal of Lord Ram. Here, he steps into the shoes of Rama’s father, a role that requires immense emotional weight. The casting of such familiar faces alongside a star-studded ensemble including Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sunny Deol suggests Prime Focus Studios is banking on nostalgia as much as spectacle. It’s a calculated move to bridge the gap between the old-school Ramayana viewers and the new generation.
The production scale is equally ambitious. Produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, the film is split into two parts. Part 1 hits cinemas worldwide for Diwali 2026, with Part 2 following a year later in 2027. It will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, plus IMAX formats. Sony Pictures handles global distribution outside India, while Dharma Productions manages the Hindi-speaking market. With such a massive logistical footprint, the pressure is on to ensure the story holds up under the weight of its own ambition.