The makers of ‘Ramayana Part 1’ have expanded the film’s character reveal with the release of its first song, “Jai Jai Ram”. Crooned by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal and composed by AR Rahman, the song was unveiled on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 and offers glimpses of several important characters who had remained largely under wraps.While the trailer had already introduced audiences to characters played by Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, Lara Dutta and Arun Govil, “Jai Jai Ram” brings Bharat, Shatrughan, Urmila, Mandavi and Shrutakirti into focus. Here is a look at the actors playing these key characters in the much-anticipated mythological epic.
Adinath Kothare plays Bharat
Marathi actor Adinath Kothare has been cast as Bharat, one of the four sons of King Dashrath and Kaikeyi. Bharat’s role is central to the Ramayana narrative, particularly after Kaikeyi asks Dashrath to send Lord Ram into exile and seeks the throne for her son.Speaking to PTI, Kothare described his casting as a life-changing opportunity. He revealed that he landed the role after auditioning at Mukesh Chhabra’s office and said director Nitesh Tiwari had previously seen his work.“It was a life-transforming journey. It is one of the most privileged opportunities to witness a cinema made on that scale on Indian soil,” Kothare told PTI.The actor also recalled being previously shortlisted for Tiwari’s ‘Tarla’ before things eventually led him to ‘Ramayana’.
Ramayana Part 1 Jai Jai Ram song starring Ranbir Kapoor and Adinath Kothare (Image Credits YouTube)
Nitish Sharma plays Shatrughan
Nitish Sharma has been cast as Shatrughan, the youngest of the four brothers and the younger brother of Lakshman. An athlete, storyteller and anchor, Sharma has spoken about the unexpected circumstances that eventually led him to the role.In a video shared on Instagram, the actor recalled being replaced in another major project shortly before being cast in ‘Ramayana’. He said the setback left him devastated and prompted him to return to his hometown, where he began reading the Ram Charitmanas on his mother’s advice.Sharma recalled receiving a call from Mukesh Chhabra’s office during the process. He was initially considered for Lakshman in a pilot project and later performed as Ram for Tiwari. According to the actor, the director liked his performance and told him he would be part of the main film.Three months later, Sharma said, he was offered the role of Shatrughan.The actor described the development as a combination of “luck or coincidence” and called his inclusion in the film a historic opportunity.
Surbhi Das plays Shrutakirti
Surbhi Das, known for her work in television including ‘Pandya Store’, plays Shrutakirti, the younger sister of Sita and the wife of Shatrughan. Das has previously spoken about how unexpectedly she landed the part. In an interview with Mid-Day, she said she initially did not understand the enormous scale of the project when she auditioned.“At that time, I couldn’t understand that this project was worth crores. But gradually, I did, and I am excited,” Das told Mid-Day.The actor had been exploring opportunities in digital projects and films after becoming disillusioned with television, before the ‘Ramayana’ audition came her way.
Sonia Balani plays Urmila
Sonia Balani, who has appeared in projects including ‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hain’ and ‘The Kerala Story’, takes on the role of Urmila, Sita’s cousin and Lakshman’s wife. Interestingly, Balani had initially been interested in playing Surpanakha. However, she was informed that the role had already been locked for Rakul Preet Singh. She subsequently auditioned for Urmila.“For some reason, I really wanted to play that role. By the time I was auditioning for Urmila, I asked them if I could audition for Surpanakha as well. They told me that the role was already locked,” Balani told Mid-Day.Her appearance as Urmila in “Jai Jai Ram” now gives audiences their first substantial glimpse of the character in the film.
Ramayana Part 1 song Jai Jai Ram featuring Sai Pallavi and Sonia Balani (Image Credits YouTube)
Riya Kapoor plays Mandavi
Riya Kapoor went on to become an internet sensation following her reveal in the Ramayana Part 1 trailer alongside Sai Pallavi. Riya Kapoor has been cast as Mandavi, Sita’s cousin and Bharat’s wife. Kapoor has previously appeared in the Telugu film ‘MissTerious’ and the Hindi web series ‘Sampoorna’. Mandavi and Urmila are sisters. In the epic’s family tree, they are daughters of King Kushadhwaja and Queen Chandrabhaga, with Kushadhwaja being the brother of King Janak, Sita’s father. The “Jai Jai Ram” song consequently introduces another important branch of Ram and Sita’s extended family.
Ramayana Part 1 trailer starring Sai Pallavi and Riya Kapoor (Image Credits YouTube)
Who else has been revealed in ‘Ramayana Part 1’?
The film’s trailer had already offered glimpses of several other major characters. Ranbir Kapoor leads the film as Lord Ram, while Sai Pallavi plays Sita. Ravi Dubey essays Lakshman and Arun Govil portrays King Dashrath. The cast also includes Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Indira Krishan as Kaushalya, Sonal Jha as Sumitra and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara. Rakul Preet Singh has been cast as Surpanakha, while Vivek Oberoi plays Vidyuthjeeva, Surpanakha’s husband. Ranbir Kapoor is also set to portray Parashuram.One major character whose appearance has remained under wraps is Lord Hanuman, who will be played by Sunny Deol. The makers are yet to officially reveal his look. According to a Bollywood Hungama report, Sunny Deol’s much-anticipated look as Lord Hanuman in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana Part 1’ is being kept under wraps to serve as the film’s grand finale reveal. Saved for the final moments, potentially as a closing scene or post-credit sequence, his surprise appearance is designed as a Baahubali-style cliffhanger to generate massive theatrical buzz and set up ‘Ramayana Part 2’.
‘Jai Jai Ram’ gives fans a closer look at ‘Ramayana Part 1’
With “Jai Jai Ram”, the makers have begun revealing more of the ensemble surrounding Ram and Sita. The song combines AR Rahman’s music with vocals by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, while also expanding the visual world of the film beyond its central protagonists. The track has generated considerable attention from fans, particularly for its first glimpses of characters who are integral to the larger Ramayana narrative. Their inclusion also provides more context about the relationships and family dynamics that will shape the story.
More about ‘Ramayana Part 1’
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, ‘Ramayana’ is being mounted as an ambitious two-part cinematic adaptation of the epic. The project has been one of the most closely watched Indian films because of its scale, ensemble cast and international ambitions.
