Nitesh Tiwari's film Ramayana was released in theatres on November 5. Alongside the performances of Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, several supporting cast members have also attracted attention. Kajal Aggarwal, who plays Mandodari, the wife of Ravana, has particularly caught viewers' attention with her royal appearance. Although she appears in only a few scenes in the first instalment, her traditional look has become a talking point. Kajal, who became widely recognised among Hindi audiences through Singham, has been an established name in South Indian cinema for several years.
Kannada superstar Yash portrays Ravana, the ruler of Lanka, in Ramayana, while Kajal Aggarwal plays his wife, Mandodari. Her role in the first instalment is relatively limited, with the actress appearing in two or three scenes and delivering a brief dialogue.
Kajal's appearance has been designed to reflect the royal setting of the character. Her traditional attire, jewellery and composed demeanour complement Mandodari's portrayal. However, her limited screen time does not allow the actress to explore the character in greater detail in the first part.
Before the film's release, Kajal had also clarified in an interview that her role in the first instalment would be limited. Explaining the reason, she said that the story in this part contains fewer episodes related to Lanka, resulting in a relatively smaller presence for Mandodari.
She also shared her experience of working with Yash, describing him as a hardworking actor who takes his work seriously. According to Kajal, being part of such a large-scale production was a special experience for her.
Kajal Aggarwal was born on June 19, 1985, in Mumbai. She began her acting career in 2004 with the Hindi film Kyun! Ho Gaya Na..., in which she had a small role.
She subsequently moved towards South Indian cinema. In 2007, she appeared as the female lead in the Telugu film Lakshmi Kalyanam. The film Chandamama, released in the same year, helped her gain recognition among audiences.
A major turning point in her career came in 2009 with the release of SS Rajamouli's film Magadheera. Her pairing with Ram Charan received a favourable response from audiences. Following the film's success, Kajal became one of the recognised actresses in Telugu cinema.
She subsequently appeared in films such as Darling, Mr. Perfect, Businessman and Baadshah. She also worked in several successful Tamil films alongside Vijay, Suriya and other prominent actors.
After establishing herself in South Indian cinema, Kajal made a notable appearance in Hindi cinema in 2011 alongside Ajay Devgn in Singham. Directed by Rohit Shetty, the film featured her as Kavya Bhosale. The film's success increased her popularity among Hindi-speaking audiences.
In 2013, she appeared in Akshay Kumar's film Special 26, where her performance also received attention.
Throughout her career, Kajal has worked across different genres, including action, romance, comedy and drama. Her notable films include Thuppakki, Jilla, Mersal and Khaidi No. 150.
Mandodari is an important character in the Ramayana narrative. Religious texts portray her as an intelligent and far-sighted queen who repeatedly attempts to prevent Ravana from making wrong decisions.
Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is being made in two parts. The first instalment has reached theatres, while the second part is planned for release in 2027.
Following Kajal Aggarwal's limited screen presence in the first instalment, attention is now on how much importance her character receives in the sequel. However, the filmmakers have not yet provided any specific information about her screen time in the second part.
Meanwhile, Ramayana has registered an opening at the box office. According to Sacnilk, the film collected approximately Rs 64.85 crore net in India on its first day. Amid the film's ensemble cast, Kajal Aggarwal's brief appearance has also become a subject of discussion.
