Nitesh Tiwari’s much-anticipated magnum opus, Ramayana, we learned from Pinkvilla that talks are underway with renowned actor Vijay Sethupathi to portray the character of Vibhishana, brother of Ravana, in the epic trilogy. Our sources close to the project reveal that Tiwari recently presented the script and the envisioned world of Ramayana to Sethupathi, who expressed keen interest after being captivated by the narration and visuals. However, the actor is yet to finalize the deal, as discussions on logistics and financial aspects with the Ramayana team are ongoing.

The star-studded cast already includes Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. Sunny Deol is in talks to play Lord Hanuman, and Lara Dutta has been signed to portray Kaikeyi. The latest talks with Vijay Sethupathi indicate the filmmakers’ commitment to assembling an ensemble cast of exceptional talent.

Ramayana is scheduled to commence filming in March 2024, with Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi starting the shoot. Yash, who plays the formidable Ravana, will join the sets in June/July 2024, completing his role in just 15 days. The first part of the epic is expected to wrap up by July 2024, marking the beginning of an extensive post-production phase.

Impressively, the team behind Ramayana has allocated 500 days for VFX work, showcasing their dedication to creating a global cinematic masterpiece. The aim is not merely to produce an Indian film but to establish a global legacy for Indian Cinema. The meticulous pre-visualization by DNEG has set the foundation, and the dedicated VFX team will start their intensive work from July onwards.

Although the target release date for Ramayana is set for the Diwali weekend in 2025, the filmmakers, aware of the project’s VFX complexity, remain cautious and committed to ensuring a flawless end product. The film is produced by Nitesh Tiwari in collaboration with Namit Malhotra of DNEG.

In related casting news, Bobby Deol was approached for the role of KumbhKaran but politely declined the offer, citing his desire not to be a negative force in a film where his brother, Sunny Deol, is negotiating a positive and divine role. Casting for other characters is still ongoing.

Upon completing his role in Ramayana, Ranbir Kapoor will transition to the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Love and War alongside Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. Meanwhile, Yash will wrap up Toxic before embarking on Ramayana: Part 2, which delves into the narratives of Ravana, Sita, and Hanuman, ultimately leading to the grand war in the third installment.