The highly anticipated film "Ramayana," directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, recently unveiled its teaser on July 3, garnering an overwhelmingly positive response. This grand cinematic endeavor is set to release its first part on Diwali 2026, with the second installment following on Diwali 2027. The project boasts an impressive creative team, with music by renowned composers Hans Zimmer and A R Rahman, and visual effects handled by DNEG, an eight-time Academy Award-winning company.

The principal cast for "Ramayana" includes Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Yash as Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Amidst widespread casting speculation, particularly after a newspaper report listed additional actors, rumors re-ignited concerning Bobby Deol's potential involvement, with some even suggesting he might portray Kumbhakaran. However, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively confirmed that Bobby Deol is not part of "Ramayana" in any capacity, dismissing these reports as inaccurate and urging an end to the speculation.

Further adding to the film's discourse, Dipika Chikhlia, widely revered for her iconic portrayal of Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s 1987 "Ramayan," has shared her thoughts on the casting of Arun Govil. Govil, who famously played Lord Ram in the classic series, is now set to appear as King Dasarath, Lord Ram’s father, in Nitesh Tiwari's adaptation. Chikhlia expressed her difficulty in seeing Govil in any role other than Ram, stating, "To see him in a role apart from Ram… I don’t know. For me, to see him as Dasarath is really a little out of context." She emphasized the challenge of breaking such strong character images. Chikhlia also revealed that she was never approached for the new "Ramayana" film and, furthermore, indicated that she would not consider playing any other character in a "Ramayana" adaptation after embodying Sita. Her performance as Sita Maa remains a timeless and unforgettable legacy for many.

Meanwhile, Bobby Deol is preparing for other significant releases, including "Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1" hitting cinemas on July 24, "Alpha" (part of the YRF Spy Universe) where he plays the villain, scheduled for Christmas 2025, and "Jana Nayagan," Vijay Thalapathy's final film before his political career, set for January 9, 2026. This comprehensive article covers the key aspects of the film, its casting, the official denial of Bobby Deol's involvement, and the insightful reactions from legendary actors associated with the epic's past adaptations.