Nitish Sharma Lands Role in Ramayana; Beats Out Senior Actor

In the much‑anticipated adaptation of the ancient epic, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, a fresh face has emerged to play the role of Shatrughan, Lord Rama’s younger brother. Nitish Sharma, a debutant with a background in theatre and a few small screen credits, has secured the part that will see him share the screen with big names such as Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sunny Deol.

Sharma’s journey to the role was anything but straightforward. After years of auditioning and facing repeated rejections, he finally landed a part in the film, a moment he described as “a big role in a big film backed by a very big production house.” The excitement was short‑lived, however, when a message arrived stating that he had been replaced by a senior actor, with no explanation or justification. The news left Sharma devastated, prompting him to return to his hometown where he was heartbroken for days.

In a heartfelt Instagram video, Sharma recounted how he turned to his faith for comfort. He spoke of the Hanuman shrine in his home, where his parents perform the Sundarkand path, and how he prayed for guidance. He said he had been reading the Bharat‑Milaap scene—where Rama reunites briefly with Bharat and Shatrughan—when a call from Mukesh Chhabra, the film’s casting director, changed his fortunes. The call confirmed that he would indeed play Shatrughan in the Ramayana.

Sharma’s story has been shared by the film’s team, with captions noting that “sometimes, what feels like your biggest setback becomes the beginning of something far greater.” He expressed gratitude to Namit Malhotra, Nitesh Tiwari, Mukesh Chhabra and the entire crew, as well as to Prabhu Shri Ram, the film’s producer. The narrative underscores a belief that divine intervention can turn disappointment into destiny.

Before his break into cinema, Sharma’s résumé included a role as Sameer Verma in the Amazon Prime and MX Player series Pyaar Paisa Profit. He also boasts over seven years of stage experience and has served as a brand ambassador for companies such as Toyota and Blackberrys. With his first major film role now secured, Sharma looks forward to bringing the character of Shatrughan to life on the big screen.