Jaideep Ahlawat Confirms Turning Down Ranbir Kapoor-Starrer ‘Ramayana’ Due to Date Clashes with Yash

Acclaimed actor Jaideep Ahlawat, known for his impactful performances in projects like “Paatal Lok,” has confirmed that he was offered a significant role in Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated magnum opus, “Ramayana,” but had to decline the opportunity due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts. The role in question was that of Vibhishan, Raavan’s righteous younger brother.

Ahlawat, in a recent interview with The Lallantop, shed light on the reason behind his decision, stating, “Offer hua tha. Par woh timing match nahi ho rahi thi (The role was offered to me, but the timings did not match).” He further elaborated that the role of Vibhishan required his dates to align with that of the actor playing Raavan, which is none other than “KGF” star Yash.

“Unko ek particular timing chahiye tha kyunki Vibhishan ke saath Ravan ka hona zaroori hain… toh do actors ke dates ke saath match hona tha,” Ahlawat explained. He candidly added, “I’m sure Ravan ki dates mujh se zyada important hogi (They wanted a particular timing for the two actors who would be playing Vibhishan and Raavan, which did not happen. I am sure the dates of the actor playing Raavan are more important).” This statement subtly hinted at the production’s priority given to Yash’s schedule, a natural consequence of his massive star power.

The news comes as a slight disappointment for fans who were eager to see Ahlawat, a master of complex characters, portray the nuanced role of Vibhishan in the epic. His ability to bring depth and realism to his roles has garnered him a loyal fanbase, and his presence would undoubtedly have added another layer to the already star-studded cast.

Nitesh Tiwari’s “Ramayana” is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious and grand productions in Indian cinema. Ranbir Kapoor is set to essay the role of Lord Ram, with Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, and Yash as the formidable Raavan. Other prominent actors like Sunny Deol (Hanuman), Lara Dutta (Kaikeyi), and Ravi Dubey (Lakshman) are also part of this two-part cinematic saga. The first installment is slated for a Diwali 2026 release, with the second part following in Diwali 2027.

While Jaideep Ahlawat’s absence from “Ramayana” is a missed opportunity for both the actor and his admirers, his candour regarding the scheduling challenges provides a clear insight into the demanding nature of large-scale productions and the intricate process of aligning the schedules of multiple A-list actors. Ahlawat, meanwhile, continues to impress audiences with his diverse projects and recently garnered praise for his work in “Paatal Lok Season 2” and “Jewel Thief.”