22 October,2026 07:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Komal RJ Panchal
Addinath Kothare
Imagine playing Ravana in Nayyi Navelli, and Bharat in another film less than a month later. A strange coincidence? "Divine intervention" is how actor Addinath Kothare views it. The actor, who will soon be seen as Bharat in Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, is pleased to have two projects rooted in the world of Rama. "Nayyi Navelli is a fantasy rooted in our mythology, whereas Ramayana is our history. So, they are two totally different projects. But being associated with the world of Rama through two projects like that is divine intervention," he said.
Stranger still is how Kothare landed the role of Bharat in the upcoming Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash-led magnum opus. The actor revealed that he initially auditioned for Lakshman's part in Nitesh Tiwari's directorial venture. "Lakshman was a benchmark character, most actors had tested for that part. [Through that role], the makers wanted to see if you fit into the family and the world. So, I tested for the role of Lakshman," he recalled. Six months later, he received a call informing him that he had been chosen for Bharat.
For Kothare, the opportunity carries significance beyond the character itself. "At times, I wonder that if it wasn't for Bharat, it wouldn't have been the Ramayana. Every character is so deeply rooted in our culture."
Bringing Tiwari's grand vision alive was sheer joy. The actor revealed that Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra had been scripting since 2016, while work on visual effects began around 2017-18. The table read was a defining moment, with the director presenting visuals of Ayodhya, Mithila, and Lanka to the cast. "The amount of hard work, time, energy, and research that the makers have put into this project is commendable," he said, recalling that the sets - including the jungle of Chitrakoot - were physically created. "They created the world so beautifully that it felt as if you're really there."
