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Mumbai: Actor Vikrant Massey has publicly clarified that he was never a part of filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming epic Ramayana, putting to rest widespread speculation that he was replaced by Raghav Juyal in the role of Meghanad (Indrajit). The clarification comes amid intense buzz around the big-budget mythological project, which is being mounted as a two-part cinematic spectacle with a star-studded cast and a reported budget running into thousands of crores.

The rumours gained traction after industry reports suggested that Raghav Juyal had stepped in to play Meghanad after Massey exited the project. However, the actor has now directly addressed the claims through social media, calling out media outlets for publishing unverified reports.

Vikrant Massey issues public clarification

Vikrant Massey shared a statement on Instagram stating that he was never associated with the film and therefore could not have been “replaced.” In his post, he wrote that the reports circulating about his exit from the film were incorrect and based on speculation rather than verified information.

He stated that media portals should have conducted proper background checks before publishing such claims and described the reporting as disappointing. At the same time, he extended his best wishes to the cast and crew of Ramayana, signalling there was no ill will toward the project.

His clarification has since been widely shared, helping cool speculation around casting changes linked to the character of Meghanad, one of the principal antagonists in the Ramayana narrative and the son of Ravana.

Reports of Raghav Juyal joining as Meghanad

Earlier industry reports had indicated that actor and dancer Raghav Juyal had been brought on board to portray Meghanad, also known as Indrajit, the eldest son of Ravana and crown prince of Lanka. According to those reports, the character is expected to have a significant presence particularly in the second instalment of the two-part saga.

The same reports had claimed that Vikrant Massey was initially considered for the role but that the casting did not materialise due to unspecified reasons. With Massey now firmly denying any involvement, it appears those earlier claims were inaccurate or premature.

Sources linked to the production had suggested that Juyal would begin filming after recovering from an injury, though the makers have not yet issued a detailed official casting note specifically about the Meghanad role.

Ramayana shaping up as a mega-budget mythological epic

Mumbai-based producer Namit Malhotra is backing Ramayana as one of the most ambitious Indian film projects to date. The film is being developed as a two-part live-action epic inspired by the ancient Indian mythological text. Industry reports have pegged the total project budget at around Rs 4,000 crore, making it potentially the most expensive Indian film franchise ever mounted.

The film features a high-profile cast led by Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita and Kannada superstar Yash as Ravana. The supporting cast reportedly includes Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, along with Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh and Arun Govil in key roles.

The combination of pan-India stars and cross-industry casting indicates that the makers are positioning the film for a nationwide and global audience across languages.

International music and VFX scale

One of the major highlights of the project is its reported global technical collaboration. The film is expected to feature large-scale visual effects and world-class production design aimed at matching international fantasy epics. The music score is said to be a collaboration between Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer and Indian music legend AR Rahman — a pairing that has further amplified anticipation around the film.

The makers are believed to be using advanced performance capture, virtual production and high-end VFX pipelines to recreate mythological settings, battles and characters on an unprecedented scale in Indian cinema.

Release timeline for two parts

According to current production plans, Ramayana Part 1 is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release during Diwali 2026. The second part is planned for Diwali 2027, following a franchise-style rollout strategy similar to major global fantasy series.

While the makers have remained selective in revealing official details, periodic casting updates and production leaks have kept the project consistently in the headlines.

Conclusion

Vikrant Massey’s direct clarification has now settled the confusion surrounding his alleged association with Ramayana. As excitement builds around Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious mythological saga, the focus shifts back to confirmed casting and production milestones. With a massive budget, top-tier stars and international technical partnerships, Ramayana is positioning itself as a landmark project in Indian cinematic history.