Actor and filmmaker Vishnu Manchu has shared details about his long-envisioned Ramayana project, which uniquely tells the story from Ravana’s perspective, even revealing his dream cast for the epic.
A New Angle on an Ancient Epic
Indian mythology continues to be a favorite source for filmmakers, with several adaptations of the Ramayana recently gracing the big screen. While Om Raut’s *Adipurush* faced criticism and didn’t perform well, Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part *Ramayana* is currently in production, generating significant buzz.
Amidst this trend, Vishnu Manchu has revealed that he, too, has a complete script ready for a Ramayana adaptation. What makes his version stand out is its focus on the life and journey of Ravana, from birth to death.
Vishnu Manchu’s Dream Cast
In a recent interview, Vishnu Manchu shared his ideal picks for the iconic roles. For the valiant Lord Rama, he immediately thought of actor Suriya. And for the role of Goddess Sita, he envisions none other than Alia Bhatt.
Manchu also revealed that this project isn’t a new idea. He first approached Suriya for the role of Rama back in 2009. Legendary filmmaker Raghavendra Rao was set to direct, and Manchu’s own father was envisioned as Ravana. However, budget constraints prevented the project from moving forward at the time.
Beyond the Leads: Supporting Roles
When asked about his own preferred role, Vishnu Manchu expressed a strong desire to play Lord Hanuman. However, Raghavendra Rao had suggested he take on the character of Indrajeet. Manchu then shared his alternative casting for Indrajeet, suggesting Suriya’s brother, Karthi.
For Lakshman, he thought of Jr NTR’s older brother, Kalyan Ram, describing the character as “very soft.” And for the role of Jatayu, he would cast Sathyaraj, well-known for his role as Katappa in *Baahubali*.
Mythology on the Silver Screen
Vishnu Manchu recently starred in the mythological drama *Kannappa*, where he played the titular role alongside actors like Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, and Mohanlal. The film, though ambitious, had a short run at the box office.
Meanwhile, Nitesh Tiwari’s *Ramayana* is moving forward, with Ranbir Kapoor playing Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, and Yash as Ravana. Its first part is expected to release on Diwali next year. Other successful mythological or fantasy-inspired films in recent years include Ayan Mukerji’s *Brahmastra* and Nag Ashwin’s *Kalki 2898 AD*.
- Vishnu Manchu’s *Ramayana* focuses on Ravana’s life story.
- His dream cast includes Suriya as Lord Rama and Alia Bhatt as Goddess Sita.
- The script and dialogues for the project have been ready since 2009.
- Manchu desires to play Hanuman, though he was suggested for Indrajeet.
The consistent interest in these epic tales shows a clear appetite for mythological content in Indian cinema, promising more such stories for audiences in the future.
