Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited Ramayana continues to generate discussion ahead of its theatrical release, and actor Nitish Sharma has now opened up about an interesting chapter in the film’s casting process.
Sharma, who will play Shatrughan, revealed that he had originally auditioned for the role of Lakshman, which is eventually being played by television actor Ravie Dubey.
Speaking to Mid-Day, Sharma recalled travelling to Mumbai after receiving a call from casting director Mukesh Chhabra’s office. He was told that Tiwari was working on a pilot for Ramayana and wanted him to audition for Lakshman.
The audition did not quite unfold as Sharma expected.
Nitesh Tiwari Asked Him to Perform as Lord Rama
Sharma said the audition initially involved two scenes in which Lakshman was a supporting character while Rama was performing.
However, Tiwari subsequently asked him to switch roles and perform as Lord Rama.
“There were only two scenes where Lakshman was the supporting character and Ram was performing. Later, Nitesh sir came to me and said, ‘Do one thing, you perform Ram,’” Sharma recalled.
According to the actor, Tiwari was impressed with his performance and assured him that he would become part of the main film.
That eventually happened, although not in the role Sharma had originally auditioned for.
Nitish Sharma Lost Lakshman’s Role but Got Shatrughan
As the casting for the full-scale production developed, Sharma was ultimately cast as Shatrughan, one of the four sons of King Dasharatha.
Ravie Dubey was eventually chosen to play Lakshman alongside Ranbir Kapoor as Rama.
Rather than expressing resentment over the decision, Sharma said he understood that casting a film of this scale involved several considerations.
“For the actual film, it was clear that in every character there would be big stars. And in such a big-scale movie, there are many things involved. But I have zero complaints about it.”
The actor acknowledged that he was disappointed when the change happened, but he has since accepted the decision.
For Sharma, being part of Ramayana remains a significant opportunity regardless of which role he initially wanted.
Sharma Says He Faced Hundreds of Rejections
The actor also spoke about the long road that led him to one of the industry’s biggest upcoming productions.
Sharma revealed that he had faced hundreds of rejections before landing the opportunity to audition for Ramayana.
His experience is a reminder of how casting decisions can evolve during the development of a major production. An actor may enter an audition for one character and ultimately be considered for another.
In Sharma’s case, an audition intended for Lakshman helped convince Tiwari that he could contribute to the larger ensemble.
Nitish Sharma Defends Ranbir Kapoor’s Casting
The casting of Ramayana has itself been a subject of intense online discussion.
Following the release of promotional material and the trailer, some viewers questioned the choices of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi as Sita.
Sharma, however, offered a positive assessment of his experience working with Kapoor.
The actor said Ranbir helped him during filming and would give him cues when required.
He also praised Kapoor’s attitude towards the people working around him.
“He treats everyone with humility,” Sharma said.
According to Sharma, audiences who currently have doubts about the casting may view the performances differently once they watch the completed film.
Nitish Sharma Praises Sai Pallavi as Sita
Sharma was equally supportive of Sai Pallavi’s casting as Sita.
While acknowledging that the actress has also faced online criticism, he said he considers her an excellent choice for the role.
“Sai, she looks divine in real life. She is the best casting for Sita.”
He also defended her appearance against criticism, saying:
“That is how a 99 per cent Indian beauty looks.”
His comments come amid wider discussion about how actors portraying figures from Indian mythology should look and perform.
A Star-Studded Cast for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana
Ramayana is being mounted as one of the most ambitious Indian film projects in recent years.
The cast includes Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Hanuman.
Nitish Sharma will portray Shatrughan.
The scale of the production has generated substantial anticipation, particularly because of the combination of established Bollywood stars, popular South Indian actors and a story deeply familiar to Indian audiences.
Tiwari is directing the project, with the filmmakers expected to present the epic through a large-scale cinematic adaptation.
Why Nitish Sharma’s Casting Story Stands Out
Sharma’s journey to the film is notable because he did not originally audition for the character he ultimately received.
He went to Mumbai to test for Lakshman, impressed Tiwari during the process and was asked to perform as Rama. Months of preparation and casting decisions later, he became part of the film as Shatrughan.
The actor’s comments also show that losing a particular role does not necessarily mean losing the opportunity itself.
Instead, the audition opened another door for Sharma in one of the most closely watched Indian films currently in production.
When Will Ramayana Release?
According to the supplied information, Ramayana is scheduled for a worldwide release on November 6, 2026, followed by an India release on November 8, around the Diwali period.
With its high-profile cast and the scale of Nitesh Tiwari’s adaptation, the film is expected to remain one of the major entertainment stories leading up to its release.
For Nitish Sharma, however, the journey is already significant. What began as an audition for Lakshman eventually resulted in him becoming Shatrughan in a film that has attracted enormous attention even before reaching cinemas.
