Raghav Juyal On Playing Meghnad In Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana Part 2: 'He Wanted An Almost Evil Intensity'

Raghav Juyal reveals Nitesh Tiwari wanted 'evil intensity' in his eyes for Meghnad in Ramayana Part 2. The actor discusses his look and character preparation.

Raghav Juyal is set to play Meghnad, the formidable son of Ravana, in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 2. The actor's involvement in the mythological drama was revealed through a brief post-credit appearance in the recently released first instalment. Now, Raghav has shared some details about the preparation that went into portraying the character, particularly the instructions he received from the director about Meghnad's appearance and personality.

In a recent interview with Variety India, Raghav revealed that Tiwari wanted him to convey Meghnad's supernatural powers through his expressions, especially his eyes. The actor also spoke about the warrior's importance in the Ramayana, including his confrontation with Lakshman. However, he maintained that much of his interpretation of the character would remain confidential until the sequel's release.

Raghav Juyal Opens Up About Playing Meghnad In Ramayana 2

Raghav expressed his excitement about joining the second instalment as Meghnad, one of Ravana's most powerful warriors. However, when asked about his preparations, the actor chose not to disclose specific details about how he was developing the character.

"How I am approaching the character and interpreting his different facets is something I would like to keep between Nitesh (Tiwari) Sir and me for now. It is a very personal process, and I wouldn't want to reveal too much before the film reaches the audience," he said.

The actor's brief appearance in the first film has already introduced audiences to his look as Meghnad. However, his character is expected to receive greater prominence in the sequel, which will explore the events surrounding the battle between Rama and Ravana.

Nitesh Tiwari Wanted Raghav Juyal To Portray Meghnad's Powers Through His Eyes

Speaking about the director's instructions, Raghav revealed that Tiwari had described Meghnad as an extraordinarily powerful warrior, comparable to his father, Ravana.

The filmmaker also emphasised the character's significance during the war. According to Raghav, Meghnad was responsible for bringing the battle to a standstill after attacking Lakshman and rendering him unconscious, eventually necessitating the use of Sanjeevani.

However, the most specific instruction concerned Meghnad's mastery of supernatural abilities. Tiwari wanted Raghav to communicate that formidable power without relying entirely on dialogue or physical action.

"Meghnad is also the master of 'mayavi shaktiyan,' so Nitesh Sir specifically wanted me to bring that power alive through my eyes. He wanted a certain glint, an almost evil intensity and fire in my eyes. If you notice my glimpse in Part 1, there is a certain intensity in my eyes that he had specifically asked me to bring out," Raghav explained.

The actor's comments also shed light on the thought behind his brief introduction in the post-credit sequence, where his expression was deliberately designed to establish Meghnad's intimidating personality.

Ramayana Part 2 To Feature Sunny Deol And Faisal Malik

Apart from Raghav Juyal, Ramayana: Part 2 will introduce several characters who are expected to play important roles in the continuation of the story.

Sunny Deol will portray Lord Hanuman, while Faisal Malik is set to appear as Kumbhakarna. Suhail Nayyar is also reportedly part of the cast as Sughvir.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the sequel is currently slated for a theatrical release during Diwali 2028. Raghav's portrayal of Meghnad will be among the new additions to the film's ensemble as the two-part adaptation moves towards its conclusion.