There are several films based on Hindu mythology being planned at the moment in Bollywood. Out of all of them, fans are excited about the Ramayan adaptation by filmmaker Madhu Mantena. The project was rumored to star Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and South Superstar Mahesh Babu. This would have been one of the biggest team-ups in the history of Indian cinema but unfortunately this could not happen.

Latest buzz suggests that Mahesh Babu has turned down the offer to play Lord Ram in this project. He took the decision after finding himself in the dilemma of working either on this project or in SS Rajamauli's next. A source close to the development shared, "Madhu and Nitesh are looking to shoot for Ramayana from mid-2022 and the dates coincide with the biggest filmmaker of India, SS Rajamouli's next. It was an obvious choice for Mahesh to choose Rajamouli over the rendition of Ramayana."

This is an unfortunate blow to Madhu's 'Ramayan'. Casting of Hrithik and Deepika are also purely specualtions as nothing has been officially announced. Hrithik is supposed to play Raavan while Deepika is supposed to play Sita in this film. Now with Mahesh Babu's departure, makers have to look for a suitable actor for the lead role.