The recently released trailer of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana has introduced audiences to several key characters from the epic, but one new face has particularly caught viewers’ attention. Actress Riya Kapoor, who appears as Mandavi, has become a trending topic after the trailer sparked curiosity about her identity.
As conversations around the film continue to grow on social media, many viewers have been searching to learn more about the actress portraying one of the important women in the Ramayana.
Riya Kapoor Plays Mandavi in Ramayana
Following the trailer’s release, several social media users initially speculated that actress Surabhi Das portrayed Mandavi. However, the confusion was later addressed when Surabhi reportedly clarified in the comments section of a viral social media post that the role is actually played by Riya Kapoor.
Riya portrays Mandavi, an important member of the royal family of Mithila and one of the central female characters in the Ramayana.
Who Is Riya Kapoor?
Riya Kapoor is an emerging actress gradually building her career across films and television.
Before joining the cast of Ramayana, she appeared in the Telugu film MissTerious, introducing herself to regional cinema audiences. She also featured in the StarPlus television drama Sampoorna, where she played the character Naina. Her storyline concluded before the serial wrapped up in late 2025.
Apart from acting, Riya has appeared in several music videos and maintains an active presence on Instagram, where she regularly shares dance performances, behind-the-scenes moments and lifestyle content with her followers.
Her role in Ramayana is expected to become one of the biggest milestones of her acting career so far.
Who Is Mandavi in the Ramayana?
Mandavi is an important figure in the Ramayana tradition.
According to the epic:
- Mandavi is the daughter of King Kushadhwaja and Queen Chandrabhaga.
- She is the cousin of Goddess Sita.
- She is the elder sister of Shrutakirti.
- Mandavi marries Bharata, the younger half-brother of Lord Rama and the son of Queen Kaikeyi.
- Bharata and Mandavi are traditionally believed to have two sons, Taksha and Pushkala.
In several traditional interpretations of the Ramayana, Mandavi is admired for her wisdom, patience and unwavering support for Bharata during Rama’s exile.
Female Characters in Ramayana
The upcoming film features several prominent actresses portraying members of Mithila and Ayodhya’s royal families.
According to the announced cast:
- Sai Pallavi plays Sita
- Riya Kapoor plays Mandavi
- Sonia Balani plays Urmila
- Surabhi Das plays Shrutakirti
- Rakul Preet Singh plays Shurpanakha
Together, these characters form an important emotional foundation of the epic narrative.
Star-Studded Cast
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana brings together one of the most extensive ensemble casts seen in recent Indian cinema.
The film features:
- Ranbir Kapoor
- Sai Pallavi
- Yash
- Sunny Deol
- Ravi Dubey
- Lara Dutta
- Arun Govil
- Kajal Aggarwal
- Rakul Preet Singh
- Vivek Oberoi
- Kunal Kapoor
- Adinath Kothare
- Sheeba Chaddha
- Shishir Sharma
- Ajinkya Deo
- Indira Krishnan
- Saurabh Sachdeva
- Faisal Malik
- Mukesh Tiwari
The project is presented by Prime Focus Studios in association with Monster Mind Creations.
Release Plans
The makers have announced that Ramayana will be released as a two-part cinematic adaptation.
- Part One is scheduled for a Diwali release.
- Part Two is currently in production and is planned for Diwali 2027.
The adapted screenplay has been written by Shridhar Raghavan and Nitesh Tiwari.
Why Riya Kapoor Is Drawing Attention
Although Riya Kapoor is relatively new to mainstream Hindi cinema, appearing in a high-profile production such as Ramayana places her before a global audience. Playing Mandavi, a respected yet often underexplored character from the epic, gives the actress an opportunity to showcase her performance alongside some of Indian cinema’s biggest stars.
With the trailer generating widespread discussion, many viewers are expected to follow Riya Kapoor’s journey as she transitions from television and regional cinema to one of the most ambitious mythological films in recent years.
