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Bharat Mandapam felt less like an auditorium and more like a pilgrimage site on Friday evening. The occasion was the grand ‘Pratham Sankalp’ ceremony for Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’, produced by Namit Malhotra — the event where the film’s entire star cast appeared together before an audience for the first time. Ranbir Kapoor (Ram), Sai Pallavi (Sita), Yash (Ravan), Arun Govil (Dashrath), and finally a surprise entry by Sunny Deol (Hanuman) — in this galaxy of stars, there was no shortage of dazzle.
But when the evening wound down and the one actor who had won hearts with his eloquent and heartfelt speech it was Ravi Dubey, who plays Lakshman.
A Delhi Boy’s Homecoming
At the ceremony hosted by poet Kumar Vishwas, the moment Ravi Dubey stepped up to the microphone, it was clear from his very first sentence that this would be no rehearsed promotional speech. For an actor who grew up in Delhi, the Bharat Mandapam stage was not merely an event venue but an emotional homecoming — and that feeling shone through every word he spoke.
Having begun his career in television, Ravi articulated his relationship with the Ramayana with a humility and depth that had the auditorium erupting in applause again and again. He echoed a sentiment he has expressed before — that India and the Ramayana are not separate from each other; they are one. Standing among giants on that stage, he called the epic “our history, our heritage” and described the responsibility of playing a character like Lakshman as the greatest blessing of his life.
Not Just Words, But a Vow
The greatest strength of Ravi’s speech was its sincerity. While the bigger stars spoke about their roles and the film’s scale, Ravi spoke of devotion, surrender, and the spirit of service — much like Lakshman himself, who spent fourteen years as Ram’s shadow. The line that has made headlines before — “We are making the film with faith. You wait with faith” — came alive once more from the stage that evening. Even host Kumar Vishwas openly praised Ravi’s eloquence.
From the Small Screen to a Grand Vow
This moment also marks a defining turn in Ravi Dubey’s career. For an actor who spent years building his name in the television industry, ‘Ramayana’ is not just a film but a dream realised — something he admitted, visibly emotional, even when he saw his poster towering over Times Square. Friday evening proved that his arrival on the big screen is no accident, but the fruit of years of quiet perseverance.
The ‘Ramayana’ trailer launches globally on July 24 at San Diego Comic-Con. Part one of the film releases in Diwali 2026, with part two following in Diwali 2027. Music by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman promises to give this epic a global dimension.
But the essence of the ‘Pratham Sankalp’ evening was this — even in the presence of Ram, Sita, Ravan, and Hanuman, it was Lakshman who walked away with everyone’s heart.
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