The first glimpse of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 has sparked widespread discussion ever since its release. While audiences remain divided over certain creative choices, one thing is clear—the film is being positioned as one of the biggest cinematic projects ever attempted in Indian cinema. With a reported budget of around ₹4,000 crore and an ambitious global release strategy, the makers are aiming to introduce one of India’s most celebrated epics to audiences far beyond its home country. Actress Kajal Aggarwal, who plays Mandodari in the film, believes that this is exactly the right time for a story like Ramayana to reach viewers across the world.
Kajal Aggarwal Says Ramayana Belongs on the Global Stage
Speaking about the film’s international ambitions, Kajal shared why she feels Ramayana has the power to resonate with audiences everywhere. According to the actress, Indian mythology is filled with timeless heroes whose stories deserve to be presented on a worldwide platform. She believes the values represented by Lord Ram continue to remain relevant and universal, making the epic an ideal cultural ambassador for Indian cinema.
“I really do believe that it’s high time. We want to tell our superhero stories, we want to talk about Lord Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman ji and all these wonderful characters that we’ve grown up reading, studying and learning about. This is in our blood, we live it in every breath and we love it.”
Kajal further explained why she sees the project as a defining moment for Indian filmmaking. “This is a great time for Indian cinema to have that sort of global appeal, and what better story than Lord Ram to do that. I feel this is just the perfect narrative to give of our country. He’s the Maryada Purushottam and there’s no one more heroic than him. And having Ranbir Kapoor play him is a great representation.”
The makers have consistently promoted Ramayana as an international cinematic event, backed by large-scale visual effects and an ensemble cast. With Indian films increasingly finding audiences overseas, the production hopes to place one of the country’s most treasured stories alongside globally recognized mythological and fantasy franchises.
A Career High and a Personal Connection
Apart from discussing the film’s global ambitions, Kajal also reflected on her own career, saying she feels grateful for the recent wave of Hindi film opportunities coming her way. After appearing in The India Story, she is now preparing for what could become one of the biggest releases of her career. The actress admitted that the renewed momentum in Bollywood has been both encouraging and rewarding.
“I do feel that there suddenly has been an influx of opportunities and I’m extremely grateful for that,” she said.
For Kajal, Ramayana is more than just another big-budget production. She revealed that the story has a special place in her family, as it is also her son’s favourite epic. The opportunity to bring that story to life on the big screen and eventually share it with him makes the project deeply meaningful on a personal level.
“It is satisfying for me as an actor to be associated with a magnanimous project like Ramayana. It’s a great learning experience because of the amazing star cast that I’m getting to work with and the makers are phenomenal. It’s a paramount project and the kind of scale that you get to witness when you’re on set, it’s a learning and once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity. I’m really grateful for that kind of work, and I’m hoping that this streak of luck continues.”
Ramayana Builds Anticipation With Its Star-Studded Cast
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part 1 features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. The supporting cast also includes Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, alongside Lara Dutta, Arun Govil, Vivek Oberoi and several other well-known actors. The film has generated enormous curiosity because of its scale, visual ambition and the responsibility of adapting one of India’s most revered epics for modern audiences.
The recently released teaser has already become one of the most talked-about entertainment launches of the year, drawing both praise and criticism across social media. Supporters have applauded the production values and casting choices, while others continue to debate its visual style and creative interpretation. Regardless of the mixed reactions, the project remains one of the most anticipated Indian films currently in production, with expectations growing as its release approaches.
FAQs
Kajal Aggarwal portrays Mandodari, the queen of Lanka and wife of Ravana.
Ranbir Kapoor plays the role of Lord Ram.
She believes Ramayana is a timeless story that deserves worldwide recognition and can introduce Indian culture to global audiences.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol, Kajal Aggarwal, Lara Dutta, Arun Govil and Vivek Oberoi.
The actress revealed that Ramayana is her son’s favourite story, making the project emotionally significant for her.
Its massive reported budget, ambitious global vision, celebrated cast and adaptation of the Indian epic have made it one of the most anticipated upcoming releases.
