Kajal Aggarwal on Mandodari role in Ramayana: 'Some films are bigger than the role'
Synopsis
Kajal Aggarwal's heartfelt social media post about playing Mandodari in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana' cuts to something rarely said aloud in Bollywood — that a small role in a culturally monumental film can carry more weight than a lead in a forgettable one. Her words have sparked a wider conversation about artistic legacy over screen time.
Key Takeaways
Kajal Aggarwal plays Mandodari in director Nitesh Tiwari's mythological epic 'Ramayana' .
The actress shared a heartfelt social media post on 7 November describing the role as a source of immense personal and cultural pride.
Kajal acknowledged her screen time is limited but said 'some films aren't measured by the length of the role or the minutes spent on screen.' She thanked producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari for the opportunity.
The film is among the most high-profile Bollywood productions in recent years, helmed by the director of 'Dangal' and 'Chhichhore' .
Actress Kajal Aggarwal has opened up about her role as Mandodari in director Nitesh Tiwari's highly anticipated mythological epic 'Ramayana', sharing a heartfelt post on social media on Saturday, 7 November. The actress described the experience as one of immense personal and cultural significance, even as she acknowledged that her screen time in the film is limited.
What Kajal Said About Her Role
In her social media post, Kajal expressed that being part of a project of such scale — in any capacity — was a source of deep pride. 'It is an immense moment of pride to be associated with a magnum opus like Ramayan, in any capacity. Albeit my role may be small, being part of a story that is so deeply woven into our culture, our history and our very existence, and being associated with a phenomenal team of such passionate and dedicated artists and technicians, truly fills my heart,' she wrote.
The actress, known for films such as 'Singham' and 'Hey Sinamika', emphasised that the value of a role is not always determined by screen time. 'Some films aren't measured by the length of the role or the minutes spent on screen but by the magnitude of the story, and the passion behind making it,' she said, encapsulating the sentiment that has since resonated widely with fans.
Gratitude to the Filmmakers and Cast
Kajal reserved special thanks for producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari for including her in the project. She also addressed her co-stars directly: 'To all the wonderful artists, you were nothing short of phenomenal and such an inspiration. Your dedication, talent and commitment are a reminder to always raise the bar and put our very best foot forward.'
Notably, 'Ramayana' features an ensemble cast that has generated considerable buzz, and Kajal's tribute underscores the collaborative spirit on set. This is consistent with the broader reception the production has received, with multiple cast members publicly expressing their pride in the project.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance
Beyond the professional milestone, Kajal framed her association with 'Ramayana' in deeply personal terms, referring to 'the privilege of being associated with something so deeply rooted in our collective faith and divinity.' She concluded her post by acknowledging audience affection: 'From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for showering this beautiful piece of our cultural heritage with so much love, and for embracing my little yet meaningful character with such warmth and affection. Some associations are truly bigger than the role itself. Ramayan will always be one of them.'
About the Film
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari — best known for 'Dangal' and 'Chhichhore' — 'Ramayana' is among the most high-profile Bollywood productions in recent years, backed by Namit Malhotra's DNEG. The film is widely expected to be a large-scale, visual-effects-driven retelling of the epic, and has attracted considerable talent across its cast. Kajal's portrayal of Mandodari, the queen consort of Lanka's king Ravana, adds yet another acclaimed name to the project's roster.
As the film's release draws closer, anticipation among fans of Indian mythology and mainstream cinema alike continues to build.
Point of View
With 'Ramayana' carrying the weight of national myth-making. The more interesting question is whether the film itself, with its enormous production ambitions, will deliver a cinematic experience worthy of the reverence its cast is already extending to it. Nitesh Tiwari has earned goodwill, but mythological epics in Indian cinema have a patchy record of matching spiritual hype with storytelling craft. Audience expectations are sky-high; execution will be the real verdict.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kajal Aggarwal's role in the Ramayana film?
Kajal Aggarwal plays Mandodari, the queen consort of Ravana, in Nitesh Tiwari's mythological epic 'Ramayana'. She described the role as small in terms of screen time but deeply meaningful given the cultural and historical significance of the story.
Who is directing the Ramayana film featuring Kajal Aggarwal?
The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for blockbusters 'Dangal' and 'Chhichhore', and produced by Namit Malhotra. It is considered one of the most ambitious Bollywood productions in recent memory.
What did Kajal Aggarwal say about her Ramayana role on social media?
Kajal said it was 'an immense moment of pride' to be associated with the project 'in any capacity', and noted that 'some films aren't measured by the length of the role or the minutes spent on screen but by the magnitude of the story.' She also thanked Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra for the opportunity.
Why is the Ramayana film significant for Bollywood?
Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana' is a large-scale, visual-effects-driven retelling of one of India's most revered epics, backed by DNEG's Namit Malhotra. The film has attracted a high-profile ensemble cast and is widely seen as a landmark production in terms of budget and ambition.
Who else is part of the Ramayana film cast?
The full ensemble cast of Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana' has not been completely detailed in the current reports, but Kajal Aggarwal praised her co-stars for their 'dedication, talent and commitment', describing them as 'nothing short of phenomenal'.
