Salman Khan’s Unreleased Ramayan: A Look Back at a Lost Epic

In a fascinating turn of events from Bollywood’s past, the film adaptation of the epic Ramayan featuring Salman Khan as Lord Ram and Sonali Bendre as Sita never made it to the big screen. The ambitious project, originally envisioned by Sohail Khan in the 1990s, faced significant hurdles that ultimately led to its shelving.

Initially, momentum was strong. The film had even commenced shooting, with approximately 40% of the project completed. However, personal dynamics began to complicate the production. As reported by Mid-Day, actress and producer Pooja Bhatt joined the cast midway through the project, sparking speculation about a potential relationship between her and Sohail Khan.

This development did not sit well with Salim Khan, the patriarch of the Khan family. Reports suggest that he expressed disapproval of their growing closeness, urging Sohail to distance himself from Bhatt. Despite Salman Khan’s attempts to maintain a calm atmosphere, the situation escalated. Ultimately, Pooja Bhatt chose to exit the project, a decision stemming from emotional discomfort and family pressures. Her departure marked a significant turning point, leading to the film losing its momentum and being quietly abandoned.

This untitled adaptation of the Ramayan was being developed long before the recent multi-part version directed by Nitesh Tiwari, which is set to be released in two parts—Part 1 during Diwali 2025 and Part 2 during Diwali 2026. With Sai Pallavi cast as Sita, this upcoming rendition is generating considerable excitement among fans.

Had the project in the 1990s proceeded as planned, Salman Khan might have already been immortalized in Indian cinema as the iconic Lord Ram, long before Ranbir Kapoor took on the role. The lost potential of this film serves as a reminder of how personal relationships can dramatically influence creative endeavors in the film industry.

As anticipation builds for the new adaptation, the story of the original Ramayan project remains a captivating chapter in Bollywood history, illustrating the complex interplay of personal and professional spheres within the cinematic world.