Mumbai: Director Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated cinematic saga Ramayana released its first official trailer on July 30, setting social media ablaze. Produced by Namit Malhotra, the four-minute trailer offers a grand visual spectacle showcasing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as the formidable demon king Ravana. However, one of the biggest surprises for eagle-eyed fans was the sudden appearance of Vivek Oberoi in a pivotal, power-packed role.
Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjihva
In the trailer, Vivek Oberoi makes an intense appearance as Vidyutjihva, the demon prince and husband of Shurpanakha (played by Rakul Preet Singh). Sporting heavy battle armor, headgear, a rugged beard, and a mustache, the actor is almost unrecognizable. His character plays a crucial role in exploring the dark backstory of Ravana and his ascent to power.
Clashing with Yash’s Ravana
Social media is buzzing over a brief yet intense clash featured between Vivek’s Vidyutjihva and Yash’s Ravana. Viewers pointed out that the film appears to delve deep into mythological lore, exploring how Ravana brutally executed Vidyutjihva during his quest to conquer the realms.
Noble Gesture: Waives Remuneration for a Cause
Adding to the excitement, Vivek Oberoi revealed that he did not accept a single rupee for his role in the magnum opus. Instead, he requested producer Namit Malhotra to donate his entire salary to support children fighting cancer.
Speaking about his decision, Vivek stated:
”I told Namit that I don’t want a penny for this. I want to donate it to support kids with cancer. I love what the team is doing and believe this film will place Indian cinema on the global stage with a massive impact.”
He further emphasized that the team approached the epic as history rather than mythology.
A Stellar Ensemble
With an all-star lineup including Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshmana, Ramayana is shaping up to be one of the biggest cinematic spectacles in Indian film history.
