Mumbai: The makers of Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming two-part epic Ramayana have unveiled character posters featuring Lara Dutta as Queen Kaikeyi and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara, offering a closer look at two key figures whose actions shape the course of Rama’s destiny.
The latest promotional release showcases the actors in their on-screen transformations, highlighting the royal setting and the internal conflict that unfolds in Ayodhya. Although both casting choices had been announced earlier, the new studio stills provide a detailed glimpse of their appearances in the highly anticipated adaptation.
The character posters follow the earlier reveal of veteran actor Arun Govil as King Dasharath. Govil, who famously played Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s 1987 television series Ramayan, returns to the epic’s world in the role of Ayodhya’s patriarch.
Lara Dutta’s regal look as Queen Kaikeyi
Lara Dutta appears as Queen Kaikeyi in an elaborate royal ensemble featuring a heavily embellished tiara, a maang tika, layered pearl necklaces and a traditional nose ring.
Her stern, conflicted expression adds to the intrigue surrounding the character, whose decisions become a turning point in the Ramayana.
Kaikeyi is one of King Dasharath’s wives and the mother of Bharata. In the traditional narrative, she asks the king to fulfil two boons he had promised her. She demands that Bharata be crowned king and that Rama be sent into exile for 14 years.
Bound by his promise, Dasharath is forced to honour her demands despite his love for Rama. The decision brings anguish to the royal family and sets the exile narrative in motion.
Dutta’s poster emphasises Kaikeyi’s royal stature while hinting at the emotional complexity of a character whose choices have far-reaching consequences for her family and kingdom.
Sheeba Chaddha’s intense first look as Manthara
Sheeba Chaddha appears as Manthara, Kaikeyi’s confidante, in a dark, earthy shawl and a traditional silver head ornament. She holds a wooden staff and looks directly at the camera with an intense, calculating expression.
In the traditional epic, Manthara influences Kaikeyi by raising concerns about Rama’s succession to the throne and persuading her to seek the crown for Bharata. Her counsel plays a significant role in the events that lead to Rama’s exile.
Although Manthara is not a member of the royal family, her influence over Kaikeyi makes her a crucial figure in Ayodhya’s succession conflict.
The poster introduces Chaddha’s visual interpretation of the character without revealing further details about how the film will portray her motivations. The costume and intense expression establish a striking presence for a character whose words help change the course of the story.
Makers hint at the conflict that changes Rama’s destiny
The production house shared the posters on Instagram with a caption drawing attention to the consequences of the two women’s actions.
“A queen. A mother. Two wishes that would betray a father’s love and change Rama’s destiny forever. A cunning mind. Whose whispers would turn a mother’s love into a kingdom’s darkest hour,” the caption read.
The makers identified Dutta as Queen Kaikeyi and Chaddha as Manthara, linking their characters to the political and emotional turmoil that unfolds within Ayodhya’s royal household.
The caption highlights the relationship between Kaikeyi’s demands and Manthara’s influence. While Kaikeyi makes the requests that Dasharath is bound to honour, Manthara’s persuasion helps set the events in motion.
The posters form part of the film’s promotional campaign, which is gradually introducing audiences to the characters and the world of the two-part epic.
Arun Govil returns as King Dasharath
The latest reveals follow the character poster of Arun Govil as King Dasharath, the ruler of Ayodhya and father of Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
Govil became widely recognised for portraying Lord Ram in Raman Sagar’s landmark television adaptation Ramayan, which originally aired in 1987. His casting as Dasharath in the new film brings him back to the story in a different role.
Dasharath’s promise to Kaikeyi is central to the events that lead to Rama’s exile. The king’s inability to go back on his word despite the personal cost creates one of the epic’s defining emotional conflicts.
His presence in the new adaptation adds another familiar face to a cast featuring actors taking on some of the most recognisable characters in Indian mythology.
Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash lead the cast
The upcoming Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita. Yash plays Ravana, while Sunny Deol portrays Lord Hanuman and Ravie Dubey takes on the role of Lakshman.
The film is being developed as a two-part cinematic saga, with the story drawing on the ancient Indian epic and its central themes of duty, family, loyalty and the struggle between good and evil.
The casting of prominent actors in key roles has contributed to the anticipation surrounding the project. The character posters provide an early look at the visual treatment of the royal family and the figures whose actions influence Rama’s journey.
With the promotional campaign continuing, audiences are being introduced to the characters before the first instalment reaches theatres.
Ramayana release planned for Diwali 2026
Produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in association with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, the first instalment of Ramayana is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release during Diwali 2026. The second part is planned for Diwali 2027.
The film is set for an IMAX release and is expected to be available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, taking the adaptation to audiences across multiple Indian language markets.
Sony Pictures is handling global distribution outside India, while Dharma Productions is distributing the film in the Hindi market, according to the information released about the project.
The two-part format is intended to bring the expansive epic to the big screen across separate instalments. The release schedule places the first film in the 2026 festive season, with the sequel following a year later.
Two characters at the centre of Ayodhya’s royal crisis
Kaikeyi and Manthara occupy pivotal positions in the story because their decisions and conversations trigger a series of events that transform the royal household.
Rama’s exile tests Dasharath’s commitment to his promise and places Bharata in a difficult position. It also marks the beginning of Rama’s journey into the forest with Sita and Lakshmana, setting the stage for the larger events of the epic.
The latest posters of Dutta and Chaddha offer a first detailed look at how the film presents the queen and her confidante. While the visuals reveal their costumes and expressions, the broader interpretation of their roles will become clearer as more details emerge.
With a high-profile cast, a two-part release plan and a multi-language theatrical rollout, Ramayana remains one of the major upcoming Indian film projects, with the first instalment scheduled for Diwali 2026.