The makers of Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming epic Ramayana have revealed new character posters featuring Lara Dutta as Queen Kaikeyi and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara. The posters highlight two influential characters whose decisions shape Lord Rama's journey and the future of Ayodhya.
Lara Dutta's Royal Look as Queen Kaikeyi Revealed
The promotional campaign for Ramayana has introduced Lara Dutta's official character poster as Queen Kaikeyi. The actress appears in elaborate royal attire, wearing a heavily decorated crown, maang tika, layered pearl necklaces and a traditional nose ring. Her stern expression reflects the emotional conflict associated with Kaikeyi's role in the epic. The newly released poster offers a closer look at her transformation after earlier glimpses from the film surfaced online. Kaikeyi's two wishes to King Dashrath play a crucial role in Rama's exile and the unfolding events in Ayodhya.
Sheeba Chaddha Transforms Into Manthara
Sheeba Chaddha's character poster presents her as Manthara, an influential figure in Queen Kaikeyi's household. Wearing an earthy shawl and traditional silver head ornament, the actress holds a wooden staff while displaying an intense expression. Manthara's manipulation of Kaikeyi becomes a major turning point in the Ramayana narrative. Sharing the posters on Instagram, the makers described how a queen's two wishes and Manthara's influence would change Rama's destiny. The visuals highlight the political and emotional conflicts within Ayodhya's royal family.
Ramayana Features a Star-Studded Cast
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, while Yash portrays Ravana. Sunny Deol plays Lord Hanuman, Ravie Dubey appears as Lakshman, and veteran actor Arun Govil takes on the role of King Dashrath. Govil previously became widely recognised for portraying Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's 1987 television series Ramayan. His return to the epic in a different role has added interest to the film's casting. The latest posters follow the earlier reveal of his character as Ayodhya's king.
Ramayana Release Plans and Production Details
The two-part cinematic epic is produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in association with DNEG and Yash's Monster Mind Creations. The first instalment is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release during Diwali 2026, followed by the second part during Diwali 2027. The film is planned for IMAX screenings in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. Sony Pictures will oversee international distribution outside India, while Dharma Productions will handle the Hindi market. With its expanding character reveals and ambitious production scale, Ramayana continues building anticipation for its theatrical debut.
