Ramayana: Addinath Kothare Auditioned for Lakshman Before Being Selected as Bharat
Marathi actor Addinath Kothare has revealed an interesting detail about his casting in director Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film Ramayana. Although he is set to portray Bharat, the younger brother of Lord Ram, Kothare initially auditioned for the role of Lakshman. The actor said he received a call about being shortlisted for Bharat approximately six months after his first audition.
The revelation offers a glimpse into the casting process behind one of Indian cinema’s most anticipated mythological projects. The film features a large ensemble cast and is being developed as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Ramayana. Kothare has described his involvement in the project as a significant and deeply meaningful experience.
How Addinath Kothare Landed the Role of Bharat
In an interview, Kothare explained that he first auditioned for Lakshman several years ago. The casting process did not immediately lead to the role he ultimately received. Around six months after the audition, he was contacted and informed that he had been shortlisted to play Bharat.
The actor’s experience highlights how casting decisions can evolve during the development of a large film. An audition for one character can lead to another role when the casting team identifies a different fit for an actor.
Kothare has acknowledged casting director Mukesh Chhabra and director Nitesh Tiwari for giving him the opportunity. He has also spoken about the scale of the production and the preparation involved in bringing the epic to the screen.
Bharat is an important character in the Ramayana. He is the son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kaikeyi and the younger brother of Lord Ram. His loyalty to Ram becomes especially significant after the events that lead to Ram’s exile. Rather than accepting the throne for himself, Bharat demonstrates his devotion to his brother and his commitment to the principles of duty and righteousness.
For Kothare, portraying Bharat offers the opportunity to take on a character with a central place in one of India’s best-known epics.
Addinath Kothare’s Preparation for Ramayana
Kothare has spoken about the responsibility of being part of a story that holds cultural and emotional significance for audiences across India. He has explained that he read material related to the Ramayana and prepared for the character before and during the filming process.
The actor has also praised the preparation undertaken by Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra. According to Kothare, the team’s vision and research helped him understand the world being created for the film.
He has described the experience of visiting the sets and seeing several characters from the epic brought together as memorable. The scale of the production, including the visual world created for locations such as Ayodhya and Lanka, has been a major aspect of the project.
Kothare has also spoken about becoming emotional while recording dialogue after seeing a glimpse of the completed visual material. He described the moment as a reminder of the importance of the opportunity and the effort invested by the filmmaking team.
A Memorable Connection with Ranbir Kapoor
The film also brought Kothare together with Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram. The two actors had a connection from their school years, as both attended Bombay Scottish School in Mumbai. Kapoor was senior to Kothare.
Kothare recalled reminding Kapoor about their earlier connection when they met on the sets of Ramayana. The reunion added a personal element to their professional collaboration.
The actor also described their first scene together, which involved the brothers standing in a line during the Sita Swayamvar sequence. Kapoor reportedly offered Kothare a suggestion about his expression or gesture during the scene. Kothare followed the suggestion, and the director appreciated the performance.
The anecdote offers a small look at how actors collaborate during filming. For Kothare, working alongside established performers and receiving suggestions from his co-stars became part of the learning experience on the film.
Who Plays Lakshman in the Film?
Although Kothare initially auditioned for Lakshman, the role went to Ravi Dubey. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Ram, while Sai Pallavi portrays Sita. Yash appears as Ravana, and Sunny Deol has been cast as Hanuman.
The ensemble also includes actors portraying members of the royal families and other important figures from the epic. The makers have been revealing aspects of the cast and characters through promotional material, including the song Jai Jai Ram, which introduced additional characters such as Bharat and other members of Ram and Sita’s extended family.
The film’s casting has attracted attention because of the combination of actors from different industries and the scale of the adaptation.
Ramayana Is Planned as a Two-Part Film
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is being produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios and DNEG, in association with Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. The project is planned as a two-part live-action adaptation of the epic.
The first instalment is scheduled for a worldwide release during Diwali 2026, while the second part is planned for Diwali 2027. The production has drawn attention for its extensive visual effects work and its ambition to present the story to audiences in India and internationally.
The music is being composed by A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, bringing together two composers with different musical backgrounds.
With its large cast, detailed production and familiar source material, the film is among the most closely watched upcoming Indian releases.
A Major Opportunity for Addinath Kothare
Kothare has worked across Marathi cinema as an actor and filmmaker, with credits including Paani, Avatarachi Goshta and other regional productions. His involvement in Ramayana introduces him to a much wider audience and places him within a major Hindi-language film production.
His journey from auditioning for Lakshman to being selected as Bharat illustrates the unpredictable nature of casting. It also shows how an actor’s eventual role may differ from the character originally considered during auditions.
As anticipation builds for the film, Kothare’s account provides additional insight into the preparation, collaboration and casting decisions behind the project. Audiences will see his interpretation of Bharat when Ramayana Part One reaches theatres, currently scheduled for Diwali 2026.
