‘Ramayana’: Why Is Sunny Deol’s Lord Hanuman Missing From Ranbir Kapoor-Yash’s Epic Glimpse? Here’s What We Know
The absence of Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman in the initial teaser for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana sparked widespread audience curiosity despite no official statement from the filmmakers. This omission aligns with the epic's narrative structure, as Hanuman enters the story after the Sita Apaharan sequence.
The official glimpse of director Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated epic Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, generated immediate buzz across social media. However, observant fans quickly noticed the absence of Sunny Deol, who is slated to portray Lord Hanuman in the ambitious project. Despite the star-studded announcements surrounding the film, Deol's character was conspicuously missing from the initial look, sparking widespread speculation among moviegoers. ‘Ramayana’ Trailer Sparks Memefest: Sai Pallavi, Lara Dutta’s Modern Sarees and Blouses Leave Fans Divided, Say ‘Ekta Kapoor Serial Vibes’.
Why Was Sunny Deol Missing from ‘Ramayana’ Trailer?
Although the makers have not officially addressed his absence from the glimpse, the reason lies within the traditional timeline of the mythological epic itself. In the sacred text, Lord Hanuman enters the narrative after the Sita Apaharan (the abduction of Goddess Sita by Ravana) during the Kishkindha Kanda chapter.
Watch the Trailer of ‘Ramayana’:
Reports indicate that Nitesh Tiwari’s cinematic adaptation is envisioned as a two-part saga, with Ramayana: Part 1 reportedly concluding around the Sita Apaharan sequence. Because Lord Hanuman’s introduction occurs immediately after this turning point to aid Lord Ram in his search, his character naturally belongs to the events unfolding in the second instalment.
More About ‘Ramayana’
By focusing Part 1 primarily on Lord Ram’s early life, his marriage to Sita, their forest exile, and the pivotal abduction, the production team appears to be saving major character reveals for the subsequent chapter. Holding back Sunny Deol's look allows the filmmakers to build anticipation for the broader conflict that follows. ‘Ramayana’ Trailer Reactions: Yash’s Fierce Ravana and Ranbir Kapoor-Sai Pallavi’s Divine Avatars Set Internet Ablaze; Netizens Say ‘Indian Cinema Peaked Here’ (Watch Video).
The scale of the project is reflected in its star cast, which features Ranbir Kapoor alongside Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita and Yash as Ravana. With Part 1 slated for a Diwali 2026 release and Part 2 scheduled for Diwali 2027, audiences can expect Sunny Deol’s portrayal of Lord Hanuman to play a central role as the narrative shifts toward the legendary search and battle in Lanka.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2026 05:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).