Ramayana: Lara Dutta as Queen Kaikeyi and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara Unveiled in New Character Posters

Ramayana Unveils Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara

The upcoming Ramayana has introduced two more important characters from the epic, with Lara Dutta appearing as Queen Kaikeyi and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara in newly unveiled character posters. The reveal brings attention to two women whose decisions and influence play a crucial role in the events that lead to Lord Rama's exile.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the ambitious two-part cinematic adaptation features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The latest posters add another layer to the film's growing collection of character reveals ahead of its planned theatrical release.

Lara Dutta's Queen Kaikeyi: A Character at the Heart of the Conflict

Queen Kaikeyi occupies a significant place in the Ramayana narrative. As one of King Dasharatha's queens and the mother of Bharata, she becomes central to the circumstances surrounding Rama's departure from Ayodhya.

In the traditional account, Kaikeyi invokes two promises made by Dasharatha. She asks for Bharata to be crowned king and Rama to be sent into exile for 14 years. These demands place Dasharatha in a devastating personal and royal dilemma, setting the stage for a major turning point in the epic.

Lara Dutta's casting brings the character to the screen in a production that aims to present the familiar story on a large cinematic scale. The new poster offers the first official promotional look at her portrayal as Kaikeyi.

The character presents an interesting dramatic challenge: Kaikeyi is not simply defined by her position as a queen. Her decisions affect her family, the succession to the throne and the course of Rama's journey.

Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara: The Influence Behind Kaikeyi's Decision

Sheeba Chaddha takes on the role of Manthara, Kaikeyi's confidante whose counsel becomes instrumental in the events leading to Rama's exile.

In the epic's traditional telling, Manthara persuades Kaikeyi to act on the promises granted by Dasharatha. Her intervention transforms what could have been a royal succession into a personal and political crisis for the kingdom of Ayodhya.

The casting brings an experienced performer into a role that depends heavily on persuasion, emotional tension and the dynamics between two closely connected characters.

Chaddha has previously spoken about her approach to the part. In an interview published by Moneycontrol in September 2026, she explained that she did not undertake extensive preparation or create an elaborate new backstory for Manthara, choosing instead to approach the character as she is traditionally known in the Ramayana.

The latest poster introduces audiences to her visual interpretation of the character, although the promotional material alone does not establish how extensively the film will explore Manthara's motivations.

Why These Two Characters Matter to the Film?

The reveal of Kaikeyi and Manthara is significant because their roles connect the royal household of Ayodhya to the larger journey at the centre of the Ramayana.

While the film's principal characters include Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Ravana, the story's turning points also depend on the choices made by those around them. Kaikeyi's demands and Manthara's influence help establish the circumstances that send Rama away from the kingdom and begin a defining chapter of his life.

For the filmmakers, these characters offer opportunities to explore relationships, loyalty, ambition and the consequences of personal decisions within a larger epic narrative.

The two posters also expand the film's ensemble beyond its central heroes and antagonists. Their eventual impact will depend on the performances, screenplay and the amount of narrative attention the finished film gives these relationships.

What We Know About Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana?

The film is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in association with DNEG and Yash's Monster Mind Creations.

Its announced cast includes Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana and Arun Govil as King Dasharatha, alongside Lara Dutta and Sheeba Chaddha.

The first instalment is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release around Diwali 2026, with the second part planned for Diwali 2027. The production has also been positioned as a large-format cinematic presentation, with IMAX among its announced exhibition formats.

The new character posters add to the film's promotional campaign, offering audiences a closer look at the people who shape the events of the epic before the story reaches the screen.

The Celebrity Hour Take

The casting of Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara draws attention to a part of the Ramayana that is driven less by battles and more by persuasion, family relationships and difficult decisions.

These roles can be especially compelling when the characters are presented with emotional complexity rather than reduced to simple labels of good and evil. Kaikeyi's relationship with Rama, her position as a mother and queen, and Manthara's influence over her decisions provide substantial dramatic material.

The key question is how the film will interpret these familiar characters while remaining recognisable to audiences who have grown up with different retellings of the epic. The posters introduce the performers and their looks; their actual screen impact will become clearer when more footage and the finished film are available.

Sources & Verification

The article is based on the newly reported character-poster reveal, the production studio's published information about the film, and previously published coverage of Sheeba Chaddha's comments about playing Manthara. The interpretation in The Celebrity Hour Take is editorial analysis, not a statement from the filmmakers.