Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming magnum opus Ramayana is already one of the most highly anticipated Bollywood films, thanks to its epic scale and stellar cast. With Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Sunny Deol stepping into the role of Hanuman, the film has generated enormous buzz.
However, one notable actor won’t be part of this cinematic universe—Jaideep Ahlawat.
Why Jaideep Said No to ‘Ramayana’
In a recent interview with Lallantop, Jaideep confirmed that he was offered the role of Vibhishan, Ravana’s brother. Despite the prestige and appeal of the film, he had to decline. “I was offered the role in Ramayana, but our dates didn’t match. Ravana and Vibhishan have important scenes together. Ravana’s dates were already locked and obviously more crucial. And with KGF’s Yash playing Ravana, his timeline was fixed.”
Jaideep’s fans were excited at the possibility of seeing him in a mythological epic. Known for powerful performances in Paatal Lok, Jaane Jaan, Three of Us, and The Jewel Thief, his decision to step away was disappointing but understandable given the scheduling conflict.
The Film’s Grand Ensemble Cast
Apart from the leads, Ramayana features a massive cast including Arun Govil, Ravi Dubey, Kunal Kapoor, Adinath Kothari, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Kajal Aggarwal, Sheeba Chadha, and Indira Krishnan.
While Jaideep Ahlawat’s presence will be missed, anticipation for Ramayana remains sky-high.