Kajal Aggarwal Reacts to Her ‘Small Role’ in Ramayana Part 1, Says Playing Mandodari Is Bigger Than Screen Time -

As Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana continues attracting attention following its theatrical release, Kajal Aggarwal has shared unseen pictures from the sets and penned an emotional note. The actress thanked Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi and the entire team for making her part of the epic.

Mumbai: Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 has brought several celebrated actors together for one of India’s most ambitious cinematic projects. While Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita have naturally attracted considerable attention, another actress has quietly made her presence felt. We are talking about Kajal Aggarwal, who portrays Ravana’s wife, Queen Mandodari, in the mythological extravaganza.

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And now, Kajal has something emotional to share about her experience.

On November 7, 2026, the actress took to Instagram and shared a series of pictures from the sets, offering audiences a glimpse of her appearance as Mandodari. Alongside the photographs, she penned a heartfelt note expressing gratitude for being associated with a project that she considers much bigger than an individual performance.

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Interestingly, Kajal openly acknowledged that her role might be small, but insisted that the opportunity to become part of such a culturally significant film was an achievement in itself.

Her statement has also drawn attention to an interesting aspect of the film: even actors with relatively limited screen time can become part of a cinematic project that carries enormous cultural and historical significance.

Kajal Aggarwal Says Her Role May Be Small, But Ramayana Is Special

Sharing her thoughts, Kajal described her association with Ramayana as an immense moment of pride.

She wrote, “It is an immense moment of pride to be associated with a magnum opus like Ramayana, in any capacity.”

The actress continued by acknowledging that her character might not have an extensive presence in the film.

“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.”

Kajal also reflected on how the importance of a film cannot always be measured by the number of scenes an actor gets or the minutes they spend on screen.

She 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.”

That statement is particularly interesting considering the scale of Ramayana. For an actor, being associated with a project of this magnitude can bring recognition that goes beyond the immediate popularity of an individual character.

Kajal Thanks Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra

Kajal did not forget to acknowledge the people who made her participation possible.

The actress extended a special thank-you to producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari for considering her for the role of Mandodari.

She wrote, “A heartfelt thank you to @iamnamitmalhotra and @niteshtiwari22 sir for thinking of me and giving me this opportunity to be a part of something that will forever be etched in our history, while also being a pioneering step from India towards global cinema.”

Her comment highlights the international ambitions associated with the project.

With its enormous production scale, visual effects and star-studded cast, Ramayana is being positioned as a major Indian cinematic spectacle with aspirations beyond the domestic market.

For Kajal, the opportunity also adds another significant title to a career that has seen her work across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu cinema.

From Ranbir Kapoor to Yash, Kajal Praises the Entire Star Cast

Kajal also had plenty of appreciation for her fellow actors.

The actress praised the dedication and commitment of the ensemble cast, which includes some of the biggest names in Indian entertainment.

She mentioned Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol and Ravie Dubey while appreciating their performances and contribution to the film.

She wrote, “To all the wonderful artists, you were nothing short of phenomenal and such an inspiration. Your dedication, talent, and commitment are a reminder to always raise the bar and put our very best foot forward.”

Interestingly, the actress also revealed that working with some of her industry friends made the experience even more enjoyable.

She specifically thanked Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi and Adinath Kothare.

“To my dear friends @rakulpreet @vivekoberoi and @adinathkothare, sharing screen space, conversations, and so many laughs with you was an absolute joy!” she added.

The post offered a glimpse into the camaraderie behind a film that brings together actors from different industries and generations.

Who Is Mandodari in Ramayana? Why Kajal’s Character Matters

For audiences familiar with the epic, Mandodari is an important character despite not occupying the same narrative space as Rama, Sita or Ravana.

She is the queen of Lanka and the wife of Ravana. Traditionally portrayed as an intelligent, dignified and virtuous woman, Mandodari represents a different perspective within the story of Lanka’s downfall.

Her character is particularly significant because she is associated with Ravana’s personal world and the consequences of his decisions.

In traditional accounts of the Ramayana, Mandodari is often depicted as someone who recognises the dangers of Ravana’s actions and urges him to reconsider his decisions, particularly regarding Goddess Sita.

Her character therefore provides an emotional dimension to the larger conflict.

While Ravana’s ambition and pride drive the narrative towards its dramatic confrontation, Mandodari’s position offers an opportunity to explore the personal consequences of his choices.

This makes Kajal’s casting interesting even if her screen time in the first instalment is limited.

The second instalment could potentially provide further opportunities to explore the character, depending on how the makers develop the narrative. However, the filmmakers have not confirmed any additional screen-time details or character developments.

Fans Appreciate Kajal’s Mandodari Look

Kajal’s Instagram post also comes amid growing audience interest in the supporting characters of Ramayana.

The film features a massive ensemble, including actors portraying several important figures from the epic.

While the principal characters naturally dominate promotional conversations, the supporting cast plays an important role in building the larger world of the story.

Kajal’s Mandodari look has attracted attention, with audiences appreciating her appearance in the film.

Her decision to share pictures from the sets has further encouraged conversations around her character.

Interestingly, the actress has not attempted to turn the discussion towards her screen presence or complain about limited footage. Instead, she has chosen to celebrate the opportunity and acknowledge the work of the people behind the film.

That approach also reflects the importance of supporting roles in large-scale cinematic productions, where a character’s significance is not necessarily determined by screen time alone.

Kajal Gives Special Shoutout to the Costume and Assistant Director Teams

Beyond the leading actors and filmmakers, Kajal also made sure to acknowledge the technicians who worked behind the scenes.

The actress specifically praised her team members Vardan Nayak and Swapnil Kashid, along with the costume department and assistant directors.

She wrote, “You guys truly hit it out of the park! Your hard work, attention to detail, and dedication made every bit of this journey special.”

She further added that the appreciation coming their way was well deserved, describing the film’s achievement as something that belonged to the entire team.

It is an important acknowledgement because creating a mythological world on this scale requires extensive coordination between costume designers, production designers, visual effects artists, technicians and several other departments.

The visual presentation of characters such as Mandodari is particularly dependent on the detailing of costumes, jewellery, makeup and styling.

Kajal’s appreciation brings attention to the people whose work often remains behind the camera despite being essential to the final cinematic experience.

Will Kajal Aggarwal Have a Bigger Role in Ramayana Part 2?

This is perhaps the biggest question emerging from her statement.

With Ramayana planned as a two-part cinematic franchise, audiences will naturally be curious about whether Mandodari will have a more prominent presence in the second instalment.

The first part establishes the world of the epic and introduces its major characters. The subsequent chapter is expected to move towards the larger confrontation between Rama and Ravana.

Mandodari’s character has considerable narrative relevance to the events surrounding Lanka, particularly the emotional and personal consequences of Ravana’s decisions.

However, there is no official confirmation about whether Kajal will receive a larger role in the second instalment.

For the actress, even this association could prove valuable. Being part of a major mythological franchise gives her visibility across different audience groups, particularly those who may not regularly follow her work in South Indian cinema.

It also strengthens her presence in Hindi-language entertainment at a time when large-scale pan-Indian productions are increasingly bringing together performers from multiple film industries.

About Ramayana Part 1

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana: Part 1 arrived in theatres worldwide on November 5, 2026.

The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita and Yash as Ravana. Sunny Deol portrays Lord Hanuman, while Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman.

The ensemble also includes Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjihva and several other prominent actors.

The two-part cinematic adaptation has been mounted on a reported combined budget of approximately ₹4,000 crore, making it one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema.

The second instalment is scheduled for Diwali 2028.

Also Read: https://ultapaltakhabar.com/ramayana-controversy-yashs-ravana-overshadows-ranbir-kapoors-lord-rama-internet-divided-over-ravana-glorification-in-nitesh-tiwaris-epic/

The Bottom Line: Kajal Aggarwal may not have the longest screen presence in Ramayana: Part 1, but her emotional note makes one thing clear: she considers the opportunity much bigger than the size of her role. With audiences now discovering the film’s supporting characters and the second instalment still ahead, Mandodari’s journey could have more significance in the larger story. For Kajal, this association is already something she says she will cherish forever.

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