Sonia Balani to play Urmila in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana with Ranbir Kapoor
Synopsis
Sonia Balani, best known for The Kerala Story, steps into one of mythology’s most emotionally resonant but underexplored roles — Urmila in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. With Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and one of Bollywood’s most ambitious two-part productions taking shape, the casting signals that the film is going beyond the central narrative to give voice to its quieter, profound stories.
Key Takeaways
Sonia Balani has been cast as Urmila , wife of Lord Lakshmana, in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana .
Ranbir Kapoor stars as Lord Rama in the film, planned as a two-part cinematic epic.
Balani described the role as ‘both a privilege and a responsibility,’ citing Urmila’s emotional depth and cultural significance.
The actress is known for her negative role in The Kerala Story and has also appeared in Tum Bin 2 and Baazaar .
The film reportedly aims to bring Urmila’s story — often overshadowed in mainstream retellings — to a wider audience.
Actress Sonia Balani has been cast as Urmila, the wife of Lord Lakshmana, in director Nitesh Tiwari's highly anticipated two-part epic Ramayana, which stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The casting announcement adds another significant layer to one of the most ambitious Bollywood productions in recent memory.
Sonia Balani on the Character of Urmila
Balani, who gained wide recognition for her negative role in The Kerala Story, described the opportunity as both meaningful and weighty. “Being associated with a story as timeless and deeply rooted in our culture as the Ramayana is truly special. Urmila is a character whose strength, dignity and sacrifices deserve to be understood beyond the pages of history. As an actor, the opportunity to explore such an emotionally layered character is both a privilege and a responsibility,” she said.
She further added, “Working with a visionary filmmaker like Nitesh Tiwari and sharing the screen with an accomplished actor like Ranbir Kapoor in a project of this scale makes the journey even more exciting. I hope audiences connect with Urmila’s strength and discover the beautiful human emotions that make her story so powerful.”
Who Is Urmila and Why She Matters
Urmila, daughter of King Janaka and sister of Sita, occupies a quietly significant position in the Ramayana. She is widely celebrated in various retellings of the epic for her extraordinary sacrifice — spending the years of Lakshmana’s exile largely alone, her emotional journey often overshadowed by the central narrative. The film reportedly intends to bring her story into sharper focus for a wider contemporary audience.
A Career Pivot for Sonia Balani
Beyond The Kerala Story, Balani has appeared in films including Tum Bin 2 and Baazaar. The role of Urmila represents a marked shift in her screen persona — moving from antagonist roles to a character defined by resilience, sacrifice and emotional depth. It is also among the most high-profile projects of her career to date.
About the Film
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, best known for Dangal and Chhichhore, Ramayana is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic. Ranbir Kapoor leads the cast as Lord Rama. The project is widely regarded as one of the most ambitious undertakings in Indian cinema, and casting announcements have generated sustained public interest ahead of its release.
Point of View
And bringing it to a mass theatrical canvas is a genuine creative risk. Whether the film gives her arc the screen time it deserves, or uses it as sentimental garnish around Ranbir Kapoor’s Lord Rama, will be the real measure of its cultural intent. For Balani, it is a career-defining opportunity to move decisively beyond The Kerala Story’s typecasting.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sonia Balani playing in the Ramayana film?
Sonia Balani is playing Urmila, the wife of Lord Lakshmana, in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming two-part epic Ramayana. Urmila is celebrated in various retellings of the epic for her sacrifices during Lakshmana’s years of exile.
Who is directing and starring in the Ramayana film?
Ramayana is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for Dangal and Chhichhore, with Ranbir Kapoor starring as Lord Rama. The film is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic.
What is Sonia Balani known for before Ramayana?
Sonia Balani is best known for her negative role in The Kerala Story, and has also appeared in Tum Bin 2 and Baazaar. Her casting as Urmila marks a significant shift toward a character defined by sacrifice and emotional strength.
Why is Urmila considered an important character in the Ramayana?
Urmila, wife of Lakshmana and sister of Sita, is regarded as one of the epic’s most emotionally profound yet underexplored figures. Her story — centred on years of solitude and quiet sacrifice during the exile — is rarely given central focus in mainstream adaptations.
What has Sonia Balani said about taking on the role?
Balani called the opportunity ‘both a privilege and a responsibility,’ saying she hopes audiences connect with Urmila’s strength and the ‘beautiful human emotions’ that make her story powerful. She also expressed excitement about working with director Nitesh Tiwari and co-star Ranbir Kapoor.
