Nitish Sharma on playing Shatrughan in Ramayana: 'A divine blessing'
Synopsis
Nitish Sharma's casting as Shatrughan in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana' carries an unusually personal backstory — the call came while he was reading the Ramcharitmanas during a professional low. For a film already carrying enormous cultural weight, that detail adds a layer of serendipity that the actor himself calls fate.
Key Takeaways
Nitish Sharma has been cast as Shatrughan , the youngest son of King Dasharatha , in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana'.
Sharma says the casting call arrived while he was reading the Ramcharitmanas during a difficult professional phase — a coincidence he describes as a 'divine blessing'.
He credited casting director Mukesh Chhabra , producer Namit Malhotra , and director Nitesh Tiwari for their faith in him.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana.
The ensemble also includes Lara Dutta , Ravi Dubey , Arun Govil , Kajal Aggarwal , Rakul Preet Singh , Indira Krishnan , and Vivek Oberoi .
Actor Nitish Sharma has described landing the role of Shatrughan — the youngest son of King Dasharatha — in director Nitesh Tiwari's epic mythological film 'Ramayana' as nothing short of a divine blessing, revealing that the casting call arrived during one of the most turbulent periods of his career.
The Moment That Felt Like Fate
Sharma recalled that the news came at a time when he was navigating professional setbacks and had turned to scripture for solace. 'The call came during one of the most difficult phases of my life. Professionally, I had just gone through a major disappointment, and I was trying to find peace by reading the Ramcharitmanas. It was during that very moment that I received the call for Ramayan. Honestly, it felt like a divine blessing and a reminder that Lord Ram always has a bigger plan for us,' he said.
The actor described the experience as one shaped equally by joy and a heightened sense of duty — a combination he says he has carried into his preparation for the role.
Gratitude to the Makers
Sharma was effusive in crediting the creative team for placing their trust in him. 'My first emotion was pure gratitude. I am deeply thankful to our casting director, Mukesh Chhabra, our producer, Namit Malhotra, and our director, Nitesh Tiwari, for believing in me and trusting me with the responsibility of playing Shatrughan. Becoming a part of Ramayan is more than just another role for me — it's an honour and a privilege that I will always cherish,' he said.
His remarks signal the weight actors in this production are placing on the project — a sentiment that has become a recurring theme across the film's ensemble.
The Character: Quiet, Loyal, Demanding
Shatrughan, often described as the most understated of the four princes of Ayodhya, presents a distinct challenge for any performer. Sharma acknowledged the layered nature of the character, saying he is 'leaving no stone unturned' to do justice to Shatrughan's quiet loyalty. 'Along with the excitement came a deep sense of responsibility. I knew I had to give this character everything I had,' he added.
The Ramayana Cast
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, 'Ramayana' features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The wider ensemble includes Lara Dutta, Ravi Dubey, Arun Govil, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Indira Krishnan, and Vivek Oberoi — a cast that underscores the scale and ambition of the production.
With Tiwari at the helm — whose previous work includes the blockbuster 'Chhichhore' — expectations for the mythological epic are already running high across the industry.
Point of View
But the personal narrative he brings — scripture, setback, serendipity — is shrewdly aligned with the devotional audience Tiwari's Ramayana needs to court. The real story here is how methodically this production is managing its ensemble rollout, each cast member's announcement carrying a carefully shaped backstory. With Ranbir Kapoor as Rama still a polarising choice for a section of the audience, the surrounding cast's credibility and sincerity become load-bearing elements of the film's pre-release positioning.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nitish Sharma playing in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana?
Nitish Sharma is playing Shatrughan, the youngest son of King Dasharatha, in director Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana'. He described the role as a 'divine blessing' and an honour he will always cherish.
What is the full cast of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana?
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The wider ensemble includes Lara Dutta, Ravi Dubey, Arun Govil, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Indira Krishnan, Vivek Oberoi, and now Nitish Sharma as Shatrughan.
Why does Nitish Sharma call his Ramayana role a divine blessing?
Sharma says the casting call arrived at one of the lowest points of his professional life, at the very moment he was reading the Ramcharitmanas for solace. He interpreted the timing as fate and a sign that 'Lord Ram always has a bigger plan.'
Who is directing the Ramayana film?
The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for the National Award-winning 'Chhichhore'. It is produced by Namit Malhotra, with casting handled by Mukesh Chhabra.
Who is Shatrughan in the Ramayana?
Shatrughan is the youngest of the four sons of King Dasharatha in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He is widely characterised as the most understated and loyal of the princes, known for his devotion to his elder brother Bharata.
