The makers of Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited Ramayana have unveiled Arun Govil’s solo character poster, offering audiences a first look at the veteran actor as Raja Dashrath, the king of Ayodhya and father of Lord Ram.
The casting has created a nostalgic connection for viewers, as Govil famously portrayed Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic 1987 television series Ramayan. Decades later, he will now portray Ram’s father in the upcoming big-screen adaptation.
Arun Govil as Raja Dashrath
In the newly released poster, Arun Govil appears in a regal avatar as Raja Dashrath. His casting has particularly caught attention because of his long association with the character of Lord Ram.
For an entire generation of viewers, Govil remains closely associated with his portrayal of Ram in the 1987 television series. His appearance as Dashrath therefore brings an interesting full-circle moment to Ramayana, placing the actor on the other side of the father-son relationship.
Arun Govil on Comparisons With Adipurush
Arun Govil has also spoken about comparisons between Ramayana and the 2022 film Adipurush. He said that comparisons are bound to happen whenever a particular standard has already been established.
At the same time, Govil pointed out that he sees significant differences between the two films.
Ramayana Cast
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita. Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman, while Yash takes on the role of Ravana.
The film also stars Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha. Arun Govil joins the ensemble as Raja Dashrath.
Ramayana Release Date and Budget
Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled to release internationally on November 6, 2026, while its India release is planned for Diwali, November 8.
The story is being developed as a two-part film series, with the second instalment expected to arrive around 2027. Produced by Namit Malhotra, the two films reportedly have a combined budget of Rs 835 crore, which would make the project the most expensive Indian film ever made.