Ramayana cast reading: Indira Krishnan recalls Ranbir Kapoor's magic on Day 1
Synopsis
On the day 'Ramayana' hits theatres, actress Indira Krishnan has offered an emotional insider account of the film's very first cast reading — calling Ranbir Kapoor a 'pure soul' who 'nailed it', and describing Sai Pallavi's casting as destined. The post pulls back the curtain on one of Bollywood's most anticipated releases of 2026.
Key Takeaways
Indira Krishnan , who plays Mata Kaushalya , shared pictures and notes from the first cast reading session of 'Ramayana' .
She praised Ranbir Kapoor as a 'pure soul actor' who 'nailed' his role as Lord Ram , citing his journey from 'Animal' to 'Ramayana' .
She called Sai Pallavi 's arrival at the project 'destined', lauding her innocence and spiritual depth.
Director Nitesh Tiwari was praised for guiding performers to deliver emotional scenes, including a key moment before the Vanvas sequence, in a single take.
The production reportedly used a camera setup of more than 80 cameras ; casting director Mukesh Chhabra was credited for the ensemble. 'Ramayana' , produced by Namit Malhotra , released in Indian theatres on 5 November 2026 .
Actress Indira Krishnan, who plays Mata Kaushalya in director Nitesh Tiwari's much-anticipated mythological epic 'Ramayana', has shared a heartfelt look back at the film's first cast reading session, expressing deep admiration for co-stars Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, who headline the film as Lord Ram and Sita respectively. The film is set to release in theatres across India on 5 November 2026.
A Day That Left a Lasting Impression
Sharing a series of photographs from the memorable session, Krishnan penned an emotional tribute to the team, calling the gathering a moment she still feels deeply nostalgic about. Her note offered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of one of Indian cinema's most ambitious productions.
Of Ranbir Kapoor, Krishnan wrote: 'RK I hv no words to tell how beautiful inside out u are. From Animal to Ramayana I witnessed this pure soul actor and believe me he nailed it. Take a bow RK.' Her words underline the transformation she witnessed in Kapoor as an actor across two of Hindi cinema's most high-profile projects.
Praise for Sai Pallavi and the Core Team
Addressing Sai Pallavi, Krishnan highlighted what she described as the actress's quiet spiritual depth, writing: 'Sai ur innocence speaks volumes and ur spiritual thought has brought u to this platform..ur right we all were destined to meet here.' She suggested their coming together for the project felt like more than coincidence.
Krishnan also expressed gratitude towards a co-star identified as Ravi, whom she credited for looking after her during their time in Chandigarh, calling him a 'sweetheart.' She further applauded Rakul Preet Singh for her warmth and praised her portrayal of Surpanakha.
Nitesh Tiwari's Direction: Precision and Emotion
Director Nitesh Tiwari received special mention for his method of drawing out authentic emotion from his cast. Krishnan recalled a specific scene set before the Vanvas sequence, noting that the filmmaker helped her deliver the shot correctly in a single take — a moment she said she still carries with her.
She also acknowledged casting director Mukesh Chhabra for assembling what she described as the right ensemble from the outset, and praised Jay Kar's contributions on set. Krishnan noted the production's technical scale, recalling an elaborate camera setup involving more than 80 cameras.
Release Day and What It Means for Indian Cinema
Produced under Namit Malhotra's banner, 'Ramayana' releases in theatres today, 5 November 2026. The film represents one of the most ambitious mythological adaptations in Bollywood history, drawing on a story central to Indian culture for millennia. Krishnan concluded her note with: 'Love u all..cheers to the team cheers to Namit Malhotra's Ramayana..JAI SHREE RAM.'
With its high-profile cast, pan-India release, and deeply rooted source material, the film arrives with considerable public expectation — and, if Krishnan's account is any indication, with a production experience its cast is unlikely to forget.
Point of View
It functions as organic word-of-mouth from within the cast, adding emotional texture to what is already one of the most commercially loaded Bollywood launches of the year. The affection she expresses for Ranbir Kapoor is notable precisely because 'Animal' was divisive; framing his arc from that film to this one implicitly positions 'Ramayana' as a kind of redemption narrative. What mainstream coverage may underplay is that behind-the-scenes cast chemistry posts like this one now routinely outperform formal promotional material on digital platforms — suggesting that the real marketing battle for 'Ramayana' may already be won before a single review lands.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Indira Krishnan say about Ranbir Kapoor in her 'Ramayana' post?
Indira Krishnan called Ranbir Kapoor a 'pure soul actor' who 'nailed' his role as Lord Ram, writing that she had witnessed his journey from 'Animal' to 'Ramayana' and urged him to 'take a bow.' She described him as beautiful both inside and out.
What role does Indira Krishnan play in 'Ramayana'?
Indira Krishnan plays Mata Kaushalya, the mother of Lord Ram, in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana.' Ranbir Kapoor portrays Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi plays Sita in the film.
When does 'Ramayana' release in theatres?
'Ramayana', directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, released across Indian theatres on 5 November 2026.
What did Indira Krishnan say about Sai Pallavi?
Krishnan described Sai Pallavi's casting as destined, writing that her 'innocence speaks volumes' and that her 'spiritual thought has brought u to this platform.' She added that the entire cast was 'destined to meet' on this project.
Who directed 'Ramayana' and who handled casting?
'Ramayana' is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for 'Dangal' and 'Chhichhore.' Casting was handled by Mukesh Chhabra, whom Indira Krishnan credited for assembling the right ensemble from the very beginning.
