Mumbai: Actor Srinidhi Shetty, known for playing Reena Desai in the KGF franchise alongside Yash, has revealed that she auditioned for the role of Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part cinematic adaptation of Ramayana. A clip from her earlier interview on Siddharth Kannan’s podcast has now gone viral on social media.
The role eventually went to Sai Pallavi, who stars opposite Ranbir Kapoor as Rama. Srinidhi confirmed that she had met the film’s team and participated in a screen test, but explained that she had concerns about how audiences would respond to the possibility of her appearing as Sita while Yash played Ravana.
Srinidhi confirms screen test for Sita’s role
During her conversation with Siddharth Kannan, the podcaster asked Srinidhi whether she had been considered for the role of Sita alongside Sai Pallavi and Alia Bhatt during the casting process for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana.
Responding to the question, Srinidhi confirmed that she had auditioned for the part.
“Okay, now that is out. I mean, the muhurat shoot is already happening, so I guess I can say it. Yeah, I did meet them, and I did give a screen test,” she said.
The revelation has attracted attention because Srinidhi is best known for her association with Yash in the blockbuster KGF films. Their on-screen pairing as Rocky and Reena had received considerable appreciation from audiences.
Why Srinidhi was hesitant about the role
During the podcast, Siddharth asked whether she had felt disappointed about missing the opportunity to play Sita, considering it would have been an iconic role.
Srinidhi recalled preparing three scenes for the audition and said the team had responded positively to her performance.
However, she explained that she had been aware of reports suggesting Yash would also be part of Ramayana. The possibility of him playing Ravana while she portrayed Sita made her think about how audiences might react to seeing the two actors on opposing sides.
She pointed out that KGF 2 had released in April, and the Rocky-Reena pairing was still fresh in the minds of viewers.
“I had heard that Yash was also going to be a part of Ramayana at the same time. KGF 2 had just released that April, and the pair of Rocky and Reena was a huge hit. People loved seeing us together,” she recalled.
She added that the opportunity came just a month or two after the release of KGF 2. She wondered whether audiences would easily accept the actors in contrasting roles, particularly with Yash playing Ravana and her portraying Sita.
“Somewhere, I felt it might not work,” Srinidhi said, explaining her reservations.
Srinidhi praises Sai Pallavi’s casting
Despite missing out on the role, Srinidhi expressed happiness about Sai Pallavi being selected to portray Sita.
She described Sai Pallavi as a great choice and said she would love to watch her performance in the film.
Srinidhi also shared a positive outlook on missed opportunities, saying that when something works out, it is good, while situations that do not work out can open doors to other possibilities.
Her comments have drawn attention following the circulation of the podcast clip on X. The discussion has also brought renewed interest in the casting choices for the ambitious adaptation of the Indian epic.
About Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is planned as a two-part film series featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana.
The film brings together a prominent ensemble cast and is among the major Indian cinematic projects based on the epic. The second instalment is scheduled for release during Diwali 2028.
Srinidhi’s revelation offers a glimpse into the casting process behind the film and the considerations that can influence an actor’s decision when taking up a major role. While she did not ultimately portray Sita, she has publicly endorsed Sai Pallavi’s selection and expressed interest in watching the film.