The makers of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana have unveiled two new character posters featuring Lara Dutta as Queen Kaikeyi and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara. Released on October 9, 2026, the first-look images introduce two women whose decisions will dramatically change Lord Rama’s journey. The reveal comes just two days after the filmmakers introduced Arun Govil as King Dashrath, continuing their character-focused promotional campaign ahead of the film’s Diwali release.
The posters shift attention from the epic’s central heroes to the royal household of Ayodhya, where one of the story’s most consequential conflicts begins. Dutta appears in elaborate traditional attire, an ornate crown and heavy jewellery, reflecting Kaikeyi’s position as a queen. Chaddha, meanwhile, is introduced as Manthara, Kaikeyi’s trusted attendant whose influence becomes instrumental in Rama’s exile.
Sharing the posters on social media, the official World of Ramayana account described Kaikeyi’s role with the words, “A queen. A mother. Two wishes that would betray a father’s love and change Rama’s destiny forever.”
The accompanying description of Manthara emphasised how her words would influence Kaikeyi and set in motion events that transform the future of Ayodhya.
Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi and Sheeba Chaddha’s Manthara take centre stage
Although Ramayana features a large ensemble led by Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, the latest posters highlight characters whose influence on the story comes through family relationships, persuasion and difficult choices rather than warfare.
Kaikeyi is one of King Dashrath’s queens and the mother of Bharata. In the traditional telling of the epic, she initially shares a loving relationship with Rama. However, Manthara persuades her to demand two promises that Dashrath had previously granted her.
Those demands change the course of the kingdom. Kaikeyi insists that Bharata should be crowned king instead of Rama and that Rama should spend fourteen years in exile. Dashrath, bound by his promises, is placed in an impossible position between his responsibilities as a ruler, his love for his son and his commitment to honouring his word.
This is why the latest character reveals matter beyond introducing two more actors. Kaikeyi and Manthara are closely connected to the events that lead Rama away from Ayodhya and toward the larger journey at the heart of the epic.
The new posters also suggest an interesting contrast between the two characters. Lara Dutta’s royal appearance emphasises Kaikeyi’s authority and social position, while Sheeba Chaddha’s comparatively restrained presentation draws attention to Manthara’s influence within the palace. Although the artwork offers clues about the filmmakers’ visual interpretation, it does not reveal how much screen time either character will receive.
Both actors bring considerable experience to the production. Dutta has moved between mainstream commercial films and character-driven performances over her career, while Chaddha has earned recognition for portraying complex supporting characters in films and streaming projects. Their casting gives the Ayodhya storyline two established performers in roles that require more than a conventional distinction between good and evil.
When will Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana release?
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in association with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, Ramayana is being developed as a two-part cinematic adaptation.
The first film is scheduled for the Diwali 2026 release window, although its precise opening date varies by market. Sony Pictures Germany currently lists November 5, 2026, while the final India-wide theatrical schedule has not been uniformly confirmed. The second instalment is planned for Diwali 2027.
With the release approaching, the new posters provide a useful indication of how the filmmakers intend to introduce the familiar characters to a contemporary audience. They also bring attention to a crucial aspect of the story: Rama’s journey is shaped not only by his confrontation with Ravana, but also by decisions made within his own family.
The latest reveals place Kaikeyi and Manthara at the centre of that turning point. How Lara Dutta and Sheeba Chaddha portray their complicated relationship will be one of the elements worth watching when Ramayana arrives in cinemas.
