Actor Nitish Sharma Discusses Casting Journey for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana and Defends Co-Stars
Actor Nitish Sharma has opened up about his journey to joining the cast of director Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming cinematic adaptation of Ramayana. In an interview with Mid-Day, the newcomer detailed his transition from auditioning for the part of Lakshman to securing the role of Shatrughn, while also reflecting on his time working alongside lead actors Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi.
What Happened
Prior to being cast in the epic, Sharma faced numerous career obstacles, including going through hundreds of auditions and being replaced by a senior actor after landing a significant role in a major 2023 film. While dealing with the setback and reading the sacred text Ramcharitmanas, he received a call from casting director Mukesh Chhabra’s office to test for a pilot film of Ramayana.
During the audition process, director Nitesh Tiwari initially tested Sharma for the character of Lakshman and subsequently asked him to perform scenes as Lord Ram. While the filmmaker assured Sharma a place in the main project, the role of Lakshman was ultimately assigned to actor Ravie Dubey, with Sharma being cast as Shatrughn. Addressing the decision, Sharma explained that large-scale productions often cast established stars across key roles, noting that he holds zero complaints regarding the final outcome.
Key Highlights
- Casting Shift: Nitish Sharma originally auditioned for the role of Lakshman before being selected to portray Shatrughn in Nitesh Tiwari’s adaptation.
- Lakshman’s Role: The character of Lakshman in the film is portrayed by actor Ravie Dubey.
- On-Set Experience: Sharma praised Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram, for his humility and commitment to providing dialogue cues for co-stars even after completing his own takes.
- Response to Casting Criticism: Sharma defended the casting of Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita, dismissing online criticism and expressing confidence in their portrayals.
- Expectations: The actor expressed strong optimism that the film will recreate the cultural impact achieved by Ramanand Sagar’s 1987 television series.
Why This Matters
Large-scale cinematic adaptations of epics often generate significant public interest and scrutiny regarding casting decisions. Sharma’s reflections provide insight into the casting dynamics, scale considerations, and collaborative work environment on the set of one of Indian cinema’s prominent upcoming projects.
What to Watch Next
Audiences will await the official release and further promotional materials for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana to see the full ensemble cast, including Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, and Nitish Sharma, bring the adaptation to the screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which role does Nitish Sharma play in Ramayana?
Nitish Sharma portrays the character of Shatrughn in Nitesh Tiwari’s film adaptation.
Who plays Lakshman in the project?
The role of Lakshman in the film is played by actor Ravie Dubey.
What did Nitish Sharma say about Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi?
Sharma commended Ranbir Kapoor’s professionalism and humility on set, while also defending both Kapoor and Sai Pallavi against online casting criticism, stating confidence in their respective portrayals of Ram and Sita.
Source: Based on an interview report originally published by Mid-Day via Bollywood Hungama.