The makers of Nitesh Tiwari‘s highly anticipated two-part epic Ramayana have reached a pivotal moment in production. Actor Yash, who plays Ravana, is currently shooting one of the story’s most dramatic sequences: his attempt to lift the Shiv Dhanush (Lord Shiv’s bow) in the Mithila Kingdom of Goddess Sita. The sequence will be shot on a massive, specially constructed Mithila set at Film City in Goregaon, Mumbai.
Yash shoots Shiv Dhanush lifting scene in Mumbai for ‘Ramayana’
According to a Mid-Day report, the production team of ‘Ramayana’ has created an elaborate set reflecting the grandeur of the Mithila kingdom. The setup features giant palace courtyards, royal balconies and traditional floor patterns decorated with flowers. Hundreds of junior artistes have been roped in to bring the royal gathering to life, making it one of the most ambitious sequences filmed for the project so far.
The key moment being filmed is Ravana’s dramatic attempt to lift the Shiv Dhanush, a sequence that serves as one of the major turning points in the Ramayana. The report stated, “The current portion focuses on Ravana arriving at the swayamvar gathering and the dramatic tension surrounding the lifting of the bow. Yash has a commanding entry in the sequence. The crowd energy changes the moment Ravana enters the court. A lot of effort has gone into creating that aura visually.”
Sai Pallavi to join the shoot soon
While Yash has been at the centre of this week’s filming, actress Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita in the movie, is expected to join the shoot at a later stage. The swayamvar sequence is considered a crucial narrative and visual centrepiece of the epic, and director Nitesh Tiwari is said to be ensuring it translates into a truly awe-inspiring spectacle on screen.
More about ‘Ramayana’
Yash has been shooting Ravana’s portions since April as part of an ongoing Mumbai schedule. Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’ is being made as a two-part magnum opus and has been generating significant buzz, with the casting of Yash as Ravana widely praised. The film features Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, and Ravie Dubey. The first part is set to arrive in cinemas in Diwali this year.
More about the legend of ‘Ramayana’
According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Lankanaresh Ravana was never present at Sita’s swayamvar in the kingdom of Mithila. However, later adaptations such as the Ramcharitmanas occasionally reference Ravana attempting to lift the sacred Shiv Dhanush, only to fail due to his arrogance. Certain versions of the Ramayana also describe Ravana visiting Mithila to pay homage to the Shiv Dhanush. In these retellings, his attempt to lift the divine bow takes place at a different point in time and not during Sita’s swayamvar itself.