Jaideep Ahlawat Bows Out of Ramayana: ‘Ravan Ki Dates Mujh Se Zyada Important Hogi’

Bollywood’s mythological blockbuster Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita, has been making waves—and not just for its star power. The latest buzz? Versatile actor Jaideep Ahlawat has confirmed he was offered the role of Vibhishana, Ravan’s righteous brother, only to walk away due to a scheduling showdown with none other than Yash—the KGF phenom cast as Ravan.

In a candid chat with The Lallantop, Ahlawat didn’t hold back: “Offer hua tha, par timing match nahi ho rahi thi”—yes, he was offered, but the dates just didn’t align . The irony? Working alongside Yash was non-negotiable—“Ravan ki dates mujh se zyada important hogi,” he quipped, acknowledging the gravity of Yash’s calendar and his gravitas as both actor and co‑producer

The juicy part: aligning the schedules of Vibhishana and Ravan was essential. The makers needed both siblings on set together for those intense, iconic scenes—but despite Ahlawat’s enthusiasm for the epic, the timing didn’t work. “The makers were looking for someone whose dates matched Yash… I’m sure Ravan’s schedule was more important than mine,” he said, conceding gracefully .

This isn’t just a case of Bollywood booking battles—it symbolizes the film’s scale. Ramayana is one of the costliest and most anticipated mythological adaptations, shot in two parts (Diwali 2026 and 2027), featuring not just Ranbir and Yash, but also Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, and rumored additions like Vivek Oberoi and Mohit Raina.

While fans may be disappointed, Ahlawat made it clear he harbours no ill will—it was simply bad timing. He’s currently busy with Shah Rukh Khan’s King, joining the cast thanks to Khan’s insistence after a brief hesitation from director Siddharth Anand. The actor continues to headline Paatal Lok 2, with a gripping performance as Hathiram Chaudhary, proving his plate is far from empty.

Despite stepping down from Vibhishana, Ahlawat’s departure leaves the role in the hands of someone whose schedule does sync with Yash’s. Rumour mills are abuzz: will it go to another stalwart, or will a fresh face emerge? Fans speculate names like Manoj Bajpayee or Nawazuddin Siddiqui, but nothing official yet.

Also worth noting: Yash isn’t just playing Ravan—he’s co-producing, giving him greater control over casting and shoot modes. Ensuring his availability likely became a top priority, a dynamic that Ahlawat himself acknowledged

This isn’t just another casting blip—it underscores the high stakes behind Ramayana. When major stars like Ranbir and Yash headlining and producing such massive projects, scheduling supremacy becomes a silent power play. Ahlawat’s graceful exit? A sign of mutual respect—and proof that even top-tier talent bows to the logistical weight of Bollywood’s biggest spectacles. Keep Reading Gupsups for more such gossips.

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