Dev Sharma, now Ram in Ramayan Katha, was rejected as Lakshman in Ranbir's Ramayana

Actor Dev Sharma revealed that he was rejected for the role of Lakshman in both Adipurush and Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana because of his height. The actor, who now plays Lord Ram in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha, opened up about the two rejections at the film’s trailer launch on Thursday and admitted that they left him wondering if his “connection with Ramayana” was not meant to be.

Speaking about his earlier attempts to be part of the two highly anticipated adaptations, Dev said he had auditioned for the role of Lakshman in both films and had even reached the final stages of the look tests. Although the actor did not name the films directly, he hinted at both the adaptations of the epic and how his height eventually became a reason for him to be dropped from the projects.

“Before this, I was offered the role of Lakshman in both Ramayanas, one of which is in the works and the other one is already out. My look tests were also almost finalised, but things didn't work out,” he said."Dev Sharma" who is playing the role of Ram in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha, revealed that he was offered the role of Laxman in both #Adipurush and #Ramayana"I was not cast in Adipurush because I look as huge as Prabhas.and was removed from Ramayana saying that you are pic.twitter.com/OlAptPw74P— Mr SP (@Lonely_prabh) September 17, 2026Sharma revealed that he was left disheartened after being rejected for the role in two different adaptations. He said the rejections left him convinced that his association with the epic was perhaps not meant to happen.

Talking about the same, he said, “Kahin mein jo Ram ji bane the unse do inch lamba tha isliye nahi ho paya (hinting at Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana) aur kahin aisa tha ki I was as huge as Prabhu Shri Ram jo play kar rahe the (hinting at Adipurush). Toh vahan par kaafi cheezein hote hote nahi hui toh kahi na kahi main disheartened toh tha ki Ramayana se shayad mera naata itna acha nahi lag raha hai tabhi mujhe baar baar rejections mil rahe hai as Lakshman.”

(In one project, I was two inches taller than the actor who was playing Lord Ram, so it didn’t work out. And in another, I was as huge as the actor who was playing Shri Ram. So, even though a lot of things were almost finalised, they didn’t work out. Somewhere, I was disheartened because I felt perhaps my connection with Ramayana wasn’t meant to be that strong. That’s why I kept getting rejected for the role of Lakshman).

However, what he initially saw as repeated rejection eventually led him to the role of Lord Ram in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha. Recalling his journey, Dev said he had mentally prepared himself to turn down the role when the makers of the upcoming film first approached him.

“Mujhe pehgli baar Abhishek Singh (director) ka phone aaya toh inhone bataya ki ‘sir hum ek film bana rahe hai Ramayana’ toh maine sunte hi bola ki main Lakshman bhi nahi karunga aur Ramayana bhi nahi karni. And I was sitting with my dad. He said ki aap baat toh sun lo poori, apne pehle hi mana kar diya. Maine kaha ki do baar aisa hua ki dil toot gaya," he added.

(When Abhishek called me for the first time and told me, ‘Sir, we’re making a film on Ramayana,’ I immediately said, ‘I don’t want to play Lakshman, and I don’t want to do Ramayana either.’ I was sitting with my dad at the time. He said, ‘At least hear them out. You’ve already said no without even listening to the whole thing.’ I told him, ‘This has happened twice, and it broke my heart.’)

Adipurush, directed by Om Raut, starred Prabhas as Lord Rama, Kriti Sanon as Sita, Saif Ali Khan as Ravana and Sunny Singh as Lakshman.

On the other hand, Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita, while Ravi Dubey has been cast as Lakshman. Kannada star Yash will portray Ravana. The first instalment is slated to arrive in theatres around Diwali 2026.

Dev Sharma’s Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha will release in theatres on September 25.- EndsPublished By: Prachi aryaPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 13:40 ISTALSO READ | Another Ramayana before Ramayana: Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha teaser out