Actor Dev Sharma, who now plays Lord Ram in ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha has opened up about being turned down for the role of Lakshman in both ‘Adipurush’ and Nitesh Tiwari‘s ‘Ramayana’, revealing that he was ultimately not cast in the latter because he was two inches taller than the actor playing Lord Rama. Speaking at the trailer launch of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha, Dev also revealed that he had previously been considered for Lakshman in Adipurush but was rejected because of his physique.
Dev Sharma reveals why he was not cast as Lakshman in ‘Ramayana’
Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi as Sita, is among the most anticipated mythological films. Ahead of its release, another cinematic adaptation of the epic, ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’, is gearing up to hit theatres.At the trailer launch of the latter film, Dev Sharma, who plays Lord Rama, spoke about his earlier attempts to be part of ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Adipurush’. According to Mid-Day, the actor revealed that he had been offered the role of Lakshman in both projects and had even gone through advanced stages of the look tests.“Before this, I was offered the role of Lakshman in both Adipurush as well as Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. My look tests were also almost finalised, but things didn’t work out,” Dev said.
Dev Sharma says height became an issue in Ramayana
Explaining why he was eventually not selected, Dev said his physical appearance did not align with the actor playing Lord Rama in Ramayana. He also recalled a similar issue during the casting process for Adipurush.“Somewhere (hinting at Ramayana), I was two inches taller than the actor playing Lord Rama, and in another (Adipurush), I was as huge as the actor playing Lord Rama (Prabhas), so I wasn’t finalised. So I was disheartened that maybe my connection with Ramayana is not that good; that is why I am being rejected again and again,” he said.In ‘Adipurush’, the role of Lakshman was eventually played by Sunny Singh, while Ravie Dubey is set to portray Lakshman in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana.
Dev Sharma initially turned down ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’
Despite his earlier experiences with mythological projects, Dev Sharma eventually found himself playing Lord Rama in ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’. The actor revealed that he initially declined the project when the makers approached him. According to Dev, it was his father who encouraged him to hear the script before making a final decision. After listening to the story, he agreed to take on the role.The actor also spoke about how he believes roles depicting divine figures are determined by destiny rather than personal choice. His journey from being rejected for Lakshman in two major mythological projects to eventually portraying Lord Rama forms an important part of his association with ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’.
Anjali Arora talks about playing Mata Sita
Anjali Arora, who plays Mata Sita in ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’, also spoke about her faith and her connection with the character at the trailer launch. The actor said she did not view the role as something she had personally chosen, but rather as an opportunity she believes was given to her through her faith.“I have not selected this role myself. This role has been given to me by Lord Ram and Goddess Sita. And I am a big devotee of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman. I go to Hanuman temple every Tuesday. So, maybe this is the result of that. So, if they have given me blessings and told me to do it, then I will do it,” she said.
‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’ explores the epic on the big screen
Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha is arriving at a time when multiple cinematic projects based on the Ramayana are drawing attention. While Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, Dev Sharma and Anjali Arora headline Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha as Rama and Sita.Directed by Abhishek Singh, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha stars Dev Sharma, Anjali Arora and Rajneesh Duggal and is slated for a release on September 25.
