Director Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious mythological epic Ramayana continues to generate massive buzz as new casting updates emerge for the highly anticipated film. With a star-studded ensemble and grand scale production, the project has already become one of the most talked-about Indian films currently in development.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, actor Faisal Malik has reportedly joined the film to play the powerful character of Kumbhakarna, the giant brother of Ravana from the ancient epic. Interestingly, the role had earlier been linked to actor Bobby Deol, sparking speculation among fans before the latest update surfaced.
Faisal Malik is widely recognised for his popular role as Prahlad “Prahladcha” Pandey in the acclaimed web series Panchayat on Amazon Prime Video. His performance in the show earned him widespread appreciation for his comic timing and memorable screen presence. The actor was also recently seen in Subedaar alongside veteran star Anil Kapoor.
The report states that Malik has already begun work on the film and completed the first shooting schedule for his character. Sources revealed that his introduction scene as Kumbhakarna was filmed at the Prime Focus Studios facility in Mumbai, where he reportedly shot with Yash, who is playing the antagonist Ravana in the film.
According to insiders, the scene involved a major cinematic setup featuring a large international action crew. The sequence is said to rely heavily on visual effects and advanced graphics, with sources comparing the scale and technology used to the groundbreaking visuals seen in the Hollywood blockbuster Avatar.
The report also indicated that several large battle sequences that form a major part of the story will be filmed later. These scenes are expected to appear in the film’s second instalment, which will focus on the epic war between Lord Ram’s forces and Ravana’s army.
Sources further suggested that Malik’s physical build made him an ideal choice for the role of Kumbhakarna. The actor’s height and strong frame reportedly suited the imposing character, who is known in mythology for his enormous stature and immense strength. However, the filmmakers have not yet officially confirmed Malik’s casting.
Meanwhile, another casting development surrounding the film surfaced earlier this year. According to a report by Variety, dancer-actor Raghav Juyal has been cast as Meghanad, also known as Indrajit. The character is the eldest son of Ravana and the crown prince of Lanka.
Juyal’s role will reportedly appear in the second chapter of the film, which is scheduled to release during Diwali 2027.
The ambitious adaptation features an impressive ensemble of actors portraying iconic characters from the epic. Ranbir Kapoor will be seen playing Lord Ram, while Sai Pallavi takes on the role of Goddess Sita. Kannada superstar Yash will portray the formidable Ravana.
The supporting cast also includes Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. Meanwhile, Kajal Aggarwal and Rakul Preet Singh will appear as Mandodari and Surpanakha respectively.
Other actors attached to the project include Arun Govil, Kunal Kapoor, Adinath Kothare, Sheeba Chaddha and Indira Krishnan, further strengthening the film’s expansive cast.
The film is being produced by Namit Malhotra under the banner of Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with Yash’s production house Monster Mind Creations.
Planned as a two-part cinematic spectacle, Ramayana aims to present a grand retelling of the legendary Indian epic using cutting-edge visual effects and large-scale storytelling.
The first instalment of the film is currently slated to hit theatres during the Diwali festival this year, while the second chapter is expected to arrive in cinemas during Diwali 2027.
With its massive budget, ambitious visual scale, and a cast featuring some of India’s biggest stars, Ramayana is already shaping up to be one of the most awaited cinematic events in Indian cinema.