Arun Govil Returns to ‘Ramayana’ as King Dashrath
Iconic actor Arun Govil returns to the Ramayana epic, this time playing King Dashrath in Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming film.
In a move that has sent waves of nostalgia through the Indian film industry and millions of fans, the makers of the upcoming epic Ramayana have unveiled a stunning new poster. The image features the veteran actor Arun Govil, marking a historic return to the cinematic universe of the Ramayana—the very epic where he once became a household name by portraying Lord Rama on television.
A Legendary Transition from Rama to Dashrath
For a generation of viewers, Arun Govil is synonymous with the divine grace of Lord Rama, thanks to his iconic performance in Ramanand Sagar’s legendary television series. However, in Nitesh Tiwari's grand cinematic vision, Govil will step into a different, equally pivotal role. The newly released solo poster provides a first glimpse of him as King Dashrath, the venerable King of Ayodhya and the father of Lord Rama.
The production team shared the poster on social media with a heartfelt tribute to his legacy, stating: “He once brought Ram to life for a generation. Now, he returns to the world of Ramayana as the King of Ayodhya. Arun Govil as King Dashrath.” The poster depicts Govil in a regal and commanding look, signaling a significant shift from the youthful divinity of his previous most famous role to the seasoned authority of a king.
The Star-Studded Cast of the Epic Saga
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, this massive production is being built as a two-part cinematic event. The film boasts an ensemble cast of some of the biggest names in Indian cinema:
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama
- Sai Pallavi as Sita
- Yash as Ravana
- Sunny Deol as Hanuman
- Ravi Dubey as Lakshman
Release Dates and Global Scale
The scale of this project is immense, produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. To ensure the epic reaches every corner of the audience, the film will be released in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, and will be available in IMAX.
Fans won't have to wait too long to witness this spectacle. The first part of the epic is scheduled for a worldwide release on November 5, 2026. The journey will continue with the second part, which is slated to hit screens during Diwali 2027.
On the distribution front, Sony Pictures will manage the global release (excluding India), while Dharma Productions will handle the distribution within the Hindi-speaking markets.