Vijay Sethupathi Says No to Ramayana Film Role

Actor Vijay Sethupathi has clearly said he is not acting as Vibhishana in the new Ramayana film. Many news stories said he would be in the movie, but he has now told everyone he is not part of it.
By Newsroom | Film, India |

Recent reports suggesting actor Vijay Sethupathi was cast as Vibhishana in director Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming Ramayana film have been directly refuted by the actor himself. This clarification follows a period of considerable speculation across various media outlets regarding his potential involvement in the large-scale production. The denial by Sethupathi brings a definitive end to a narrative that had gained substantial traction among fans and entertainment news circuits.

Background of the Speculation

Reports indicating Vijay Sethupathi's potential casting in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana began circulating widely in late January 2024. These reports frequently mentioned the actor being approached or in discussions for the pivotal role of Vibhishana, the brother of Ravana. The scale of the project, featuring prominent actors like Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as Ravana, contributed to the significant interest surrounding any new casting announcements.

Read More: New Film 'Blue Boy Trial' Shows Old Case About Transgender Rights in Japan

Vijay Sethupathi denies playing Vibhishan in Ramayana: "I am no part of this project" - 1

  • Initial reports, originating around January 26, 2024, suggested Sethupathi was either in talks or had been approached for the role.

  • The character of Vibhishana was described as crucial, representing morality and righteousness in the epic narrative.

  • The massive scale and anticipated multi-lingual release of the film fueled fan excitement, with many celebrating the perceived casting.

Actor's Explicit Denial

Multiple sources have now published direct statements from Vijay Sethupathi clarifying his non-involvement. These statements explicitly deny his participation in the Ramayana project.

"No, I am not playing Vibhishana."— Vijay Sethupathi, as quoted in BollySpice.

"I am no part of this project."— Vijay Sethupathi, in response to inquiries, as reported by News18.

"I have no clue where this is coming from."— Vijay Sethupathi, when contacted by Deccan Chronicle regarding the casting rumors.

==The consistent and unequivocal denial from Sethupathi serves to dismantle the existing speculation.=

Read More: Indian Shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar Wins Gold

Vijay Sethupathi denies playing Vibhishan in Ramayana: "I am no part of this project" - 2

Contrasting Narratives and Speculative Actors

While Sethupathi has clearly stated his absence from the project, media reports have also explored alternative casting possibilities and the actor's own prior statements about his career choices.

Sethupathi's Stated Career Preferences

It has been noted that Vijay Sethupathi had previously expressed a preference against taking on supporting or antagonist roles, particularly in large-scale productions, as he felt such roles could impact his lead performances.

Vijay Sethupathi denies playing Vibhishan in Ramayana: "I am no part of this project" - 3

  • Reports from March 2024 and earlier highlighted that Sethupathi had rejected numerous offers for smaller or guest roles, adhering to a self-imposed rule.

  • The character of Vibhishana, while pivotal, might have been perceived as a supporting role in the context of the overarching narrative and ensemble cast.

  • Some commentary suggested a potential "U-turn" or shift in his stance, especially given the prominence of the Ramayana project.

Emergence of Other Actors for the Role

In parallel with the persistent rumors about Sethupathi, other actors have been named in connection with the role of Vibhishana.

Read More: New Film 'O'Romeo' Gets 'A' Rating After Changes

  • Harman Baweja has been frequently mentioned in reports from March 2024 as a potential replacement or the actual choice for the role of Vibhishana.

  • Sources indicated that Baweja was "likely" or "set to play" the character, with some suggesting he had replaced Sethupathi.

ActorReported InvolvementSource Citation (Date)
Vijay SethupathiApproached, in talks, to play VibhishanaPinkvilla (Jan 26, 2024), India Today (Jan 26, 2024), Hindustan Times (Jan 26, 2024), India TV (Jan 26, 2024)
Vijay SethupathiDenied involvementBollySpice (5 hours ago), Deccan Chronicle (17 hours ago), News18 (Mar 12, 2024)
Harman BawejaLikely to play Vibhishana, Replaces SethupathiTimes of India (Mar 9, 2024), OTTplay (Mar 10, 2024), 123telugu (Mar 10, 2024)

==The presence of multiple named actors for the same role underscores the speculative nature of early casting reports for the film.=

Vijay Sethupathi denies playing Vibhishan in Ramayana: "I am no part of this project" - 4

Expert and Industry Perspectives

While direct expert commentary on Sethupathi's specific denial is limited, broader observations from the industry highlight the dynamics of casting rumors.

Read More: India Says US Trade Paper Changes Match What Was Agreed

  • The production of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is described as a "magnum opus" and is reportedly being made on a "massive scale."

  • The high-profile nature of such projects inherently generates significant buzz and speculation from the moment casting discussions begin.

  • Filmmakers often engage in "talks" with numerous actors during the pre-production phase, with many such conversations not resulting in a formal casting.

==The period between initial reports and official announcements is often filled with unconfirmed information, necessitating verification.

Conclusion and Ramifications

Vijay Sethupathi's direct denial of his involvement in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana provides a clear resolution to the persistent rumors concerning his portrayal of Vibhishana. The actor's statements are unequivocal, indicating that he is not part of this production.

  • The narrative that Vijay Sethupathi was set to play Vibhishana has been definitively closed by the actor's own words.

  • The focus now shifts to official casting announcements from the production house for the role of Vibhishana and other characters.

  • The widespread reporting on this speculation highlights the intense public and media interest in major film productions and the potential for unverified information to gain momentum.

Read More: New Film 'Little Amélie' Shows Childhood in Japan

The consistent reports from various media outlets regarding Sethupathi's potential casting, followed by his firm denial, serve as a reminder of the often fluid and speculative nature of casting processes in the film industry.

Sources

Read More: India's January Inflation Rate is 2.75% with New Measuring System

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Was Vijay Sethupathi going to be in the Ramayana movie?
News reports said he might play the character Vibhishana.
Q: Did Vijay Sethupathi say yes to the role?
No, he said clearly that he is not acting in the movie.
Q: Who else might play Vibhishana?
Some reports say Harman Baweja could play the role instead.