Arun Govil returns to the world of Ramayana as King Dashrath in Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part epic. His newly unveiled character poster presents him on Ayodhya’s throne, decades after his portrayal of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s television series made him a household name.

Arun Govil unveiled as King Dashrath
The makers of Ramayana have released Arun Govil’s solo character poster, introducing the veteran actor as Ayodhya’s ruler and Lord Ram’s father. The image presents the 68-year-old in a regal avatar, seated on the throne and establishing his place in the film’s ensemble. Announcing the first look on Instagram, the team highlighted his enduring connection with the epic, recalling how his portrayal of Ram introduced the character to a generation of viewers. His return now places him in the role of Ayodhya’s patriarch.

From television’s Lord Ram to Ayodhya’s king
Govil gained national prominence through Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, which aired in 1987–1988. His performance as Lord Ram became one of Indian television’s most recognisable portrayals and shaped his public image for decades. Nitesh Tiwari’s adaptation brings him back to the same story with a different responsibility. While Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi portrays Goddess Sita, Govil takes on the central supporting role of King Dashrath, connecting the forthcoming cinematic version with the celebrated television adaptation.

An epic journey with a prominent ensemble
The two-part film explores the conflict between good and evil, depicting Lord Ram as an avatar of Vishnu destined to restore balance against Ravana’s rise. Its narrative spans the royal court of Ayodhya, Kaikeyi’s demand for Ram’s exile, his journey through the wilderness and the battle of Lanka. Alongside Kapoor, Pallavi and Govil, the cast features Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. The ensemble brings together actors from several film industries for the retelling.

Diwali releases and a global rollout
Ramayana is jointly produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios, DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. Part 1 is scheduled to arrive in theatres on November 6, 2026, for Diwali, while Part 2 is planned for Diwali 2027. The film will release in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, with IMAX screenings also planned. Sony Pictures will handle distribution outside India, while Dharma Productions will distribute it across the Hindi-speaking market.