Kajal Aggarwal has shared a heartfelt note reflecting on her experience of being part of Nitesh Tiwari’s magnum opus Ramayana, in which she portrays Queen Mandodari, the wife of Ravana (played by Yash). In her Instagram post, the actress expressed that it is an immense moment of pride to be associated with a film of such scale, writing, “Albeit my role may be small, being part of a story that is so deeply woven into our culture, our history and our very existence, and being associated with a phenomenal team of such passionate and dedicated artists and technicians, truly fills my heart.” She thanked producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari for the opportunity, calling the film a pioneering step from India towards global cinema.
Kajal’s portrayal of Mandodari carries significant weight in the epic’s moral framework. Mandodari is revered in the Ramayana as the graceful and righteous Queen of Lanka, daughter of Mayasura and the celestial nymph Hema, known for her wisdom, virtue, and devotion. She often serves as a voice of moral conscience in Ravana’s court, urging him to follow righteousness and return Sita. Kajal has previously spoken about the limited scope of her role in the first installment, explaining that the portions set in Lanka occupy a smaller part of the narrative in Part One, making her screen time naturally limited—but she emphasized that the experience of being part of something so close to people’s hearts has been wonderful regardless.
The actress also shared her admiration for the film’s ensemble, thanking her co-stars including Yash, Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey, Sunny Deol, and Lara Bhupathi, as well as her dear friends Rakul Preet, Vivek Oberoi, and Adinath Kothare, noting that sharing screen space and conversations with them was an absolute joy. She gave a special shoutout to her team and the costume department, crediting their hard work and attention to detail for making the journey special. Reflecting on the nature of her involvement, Kajal wrote, “Some films aren’t measured by the length of a role or the minutes spent on screen. They are measured by the magnitude of the story, the passion behind its making and the privilege of being associated with something so deeply rooted in our collective faith and divinity. Some associations are truly bigger than the role itself. Ramayan will always be one of them.”
Ramayana: Part 1 released worldwide in theatres on November 5, 2026, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and English . With Kajal’s Mandodari bringing a quiet moral gravity to the Lanka chapters, her performance adds another layer to an epic that has already captivated audiences across the country—a reminder that in a story of this magnitude, even a “small” role can carry profound cultural resonance.
