31 August,2026 10:56 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rajiv Kumar and Ramayana poster (Pictures via X)
Nitesh Tiwari's much-awaited Ramayana continues to generate buzz as fans eagerly await the epic retelling starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash. While several key characters from the ambitious two-part project have already been revealed, the identity of actor Rajiv Kumar's character had remained under wraps. Now, reports circulating online have seemingly shed light on his mystery role.
According to various online posts, Rajiv Kumar is reportedly set to portray Raja Janak, the father of Sita, played by Sai Pallavi in the film. While the makers are yet to officially confirm the casting, the speculation has added another interesting name to the ensemble of the highly anticipated mythological drama. A post by popular X pages KBP reviews and Our Indian Cinema have shared that 'It's confirmed, Rajiv Kumar will play Raja Janak'. However, fans are still waiting for an official confirmation.
Interestingly, Kumar himself appeared to drop a hint about his association with the project earlier this year. In July, the actor shared the trailer of Ramayana on Instagram and expressed his excitement about being part of the ambitious adaptation. His post described the experience as a privilege and celebrated the legacy of the epic, further fuelling speculation about the character he portrays in the film.
If the reports about his casting as Raja Janak turn out to be accurate, Kumar will join a long list of actors who have portrayed the revered character across different screen adaptations of the Ramayana. Mulraj Rajda famously played Raja Janak in Ramanand Sagar's iconic 1987 television series Ramayan. The character has subsequently been portrayed by actors including Pradeep Sharma in the 2002 adaptation, Gyan Prakash in the 2008 version, Bijay Anand in Siya Ke Ram and Jiten Lalwani in Shrimad Ramayan.
Meanwhile, Tiwari's Ramayana is being mounted on a massive scale as a two-part cinematic spectacle. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi portrays Sita, while Yash takes on the role of Ravana. The project has attracted considerable attention for its star-studded cast, ambitious visual scale and reported budget of around Rs 4,000 crore across both films.
The first instalment is scheduled to release internationally on November 6, 2026, followed by its India release on November 8. The second part is expected to arrive during Diwali 2027. With more character details gradually emerging, anticipation around the epic continues to build ahead of its theatrical debut.
