The buzz surrounding Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana continues to intensify, with the latest reports suggesting that South Indian superstar Vijay Sethupathi is in talks to play Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, in the film. This casting rumour adds another layer of excitement to the already highly anticipated project, which features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana.

According to sources, Nitesh Tiwari recently met with Vijay Sethupathi to discuss the script and his vision for the cinematic world of Ramayana. The Merry Christmas actor was reportedly impressed by the narration and visuals, expressing a keen interest in being part of the film. While Sethupathi is yet to officially sign on, discussions are underway regarding logistics and financials.

Ramayana, envisioned as a two-part epic, is slated to be one of the biggest Indian films ever made. The first installment is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release, followed by the second chapter on Diwali 2027. The film boasts a stellar cast, with Sunny Deol reportedly playing Hanuman, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi. Veteran actor Arun Govil, who famously portrayed Lord Rama in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, will play King Dasharatha in this adaptation.

The film is reportedly being made on a massive budget, and is said to be between ₹4000-12000 crore. The production team is aiming to create a visually stunning and emotionally resonant portrayal of the epic tale, with state-of-the-art technology and global collaborators.

Earlier reports had suggested that Bobby Deol was being considered for the role of Kumbhkaran. However, it appears that the team is now in advanced discussions with Sunny Deol for a significant role, which is now known to be Hanuman.

The film is scheduled to commence filming in March 2024, with Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi expected to begin shooting first. Yash is slated to join the sets in June/July to complete his portrayal of Ravana. The production of Ramayana: Part One is expected to wrap up by July, after which the team will dedicate considerable time to post-production.

As the project progresses, anticipation is building. Some fans even reworked the visual language of the project themselves, drawing inspiration from the animated classic Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama. A digital creator recently released AI-generated visuals that reimagine the classic anime Ramayana, featuring the cast of Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming film.

With a stellar cast and a visionary director at the helm, Ramayana is poised to be a cinematic milestone.