Actor Vikrant Massey has officially shut down widespread reports claiming he was “replaced” by actor and dancer Raghav Juyal in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming magnum opus, ‘Ramayana’. Taking to social media on February 8, 2026, the 12th Fail star expressed his disappointment over what he termed “irresponsible” media coverage, clarifying that he was never associated with the project in any capacity.
The controversy ignited following reports from several entertainment outlets, including Variety India, suggesting that Raghav Juyal had been roped in to play Meghanad (Indrajit), the crown prince of Lanka and eldest son of Ravana. These reports further alleged that Juyal was a replacement for Massey, whose involvement supposedly “didn’t work out.”
In a now-deleted Instagram Story, Massey set the record straight:
“OK. To put things to rest, I was never a part of this movie. Am not, never was. Such irresponsible media coverage from ‘respectable’ media houses is kinda appalling.”
Despite the firm rebuttal, Massey maintained a gracious tone toward the project itself, adding, “Nonetheless, wishing everyone on Ramayana all the very best. Will surely buy a ticket and watch it in cinemas.”
Nitesh Tiwari’s adaptation of the epic is currently the most expensive project in Indian cinema, with a reported combined budget of ₹4,000 crore ($500 million) for two parts. While Massey has denied his involvement, the confirmed ensemble cast remains a powerhouse of Indian talent:
- Ranbir Kapoor: Lord Ram
- Sai Pallavi: Goddess Sita
- Yash: Ravana
- Sunny Deol: Lord Hanuman
- Ravie Dubey: Lakshman
- Raghav Juyal: Meghanad (Confirmed for Part 2)
The two-part live-action saga is scheduled for a grand global release. Ramayana: Part 1 is slated for Diwali 2026, while the concluding chapter, Part 2, is expected to hit theaters in Diwali 2027. The film features a collaborative musical score by Academy Award winners A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
As for Vikrant Massey, the actor is keeping busy with a diverse slate of upcoming releases, including the series Musafir Cafe, the biographical drama White, and a special appearance in Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo.
Key Highlights:
- The Denial: Vikrant Massey confirmed he was “never part” of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana and slammed rumors of being replaced by Raghav Juyal.
- Casting Truth: Raghav Juyal has joined the cast as Meghanad, featuring primarily in Ramayana: Part 2.
- Production Scale: The film is a two-part epic with a massive budget, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash.
- Release Dates: Part 1 is scheduled for Diwali 2026; Part 2 is set for Diwali 2027.