Exclusive | Ramayana actress Sonia Balani opens up on sharing sets with Ranbir Kapoor & Sai Pallavi

Ramayana is all set to release on November 4, 2026, with high anticipation. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash in pivotal roles, Nitesh Tiwari’s magnum opus is already capturing the imagination of cinema lovers across the country by bringing one of Indian literature's most revered epics to life on an unmatched scale.

Stepping into the poignant role of Urmila is actress Sonia Balani, who brings quiet grace, emotional depth, and a deeply personal touch to her portrayal of sacrifice and devotion.

In an exclusive conversation with Zee News Digital, Sonia Balani opens up about the euphoric moment she landed the role, her unique process of journaling emotional letters, her organic off-screen sisterhood with Sai Pallavi, and what it was like witnessing Ranbir Kapoor completely embody Lord Rama on set.

Q1. Ramayana alongside Ranbir Kapoor is a massive milestone. How did you react when you first learned you had been cast?

When I first heard that I had been cast in Ramayana, I was in Goa, travelling and in the middle of a party! Of course, I was extremely happy, but what made the news even more special for me was the opportunity to work with Nitesh Tiwari He is one of my favourite directors, and the thought of working with him was genuinely exciting. That was one of the first things that came to my mind, and it made the moment even more memorable.

Q2. What kind of preparation went into understanding Urmila’s mindset and her perspective on duty and love?

Initially, I found it difficult to fathom how Urmila could be so selfless, especially when she had just gotten married and had to let Lakshman leave to fulfil his duty. Coming from a generation where we are encouraged to voice our opinions, I struggled to understand her mindset. Urmila was one of the most challenging characters I’ve prepared for because there was so little material available, and I couldn’t rely entirely on my imagination. What helped me immensely was journaling as Urmila. I would write letters to Lakshman, Sita and even her father, Janak, expressing my feelings and documenting her life while they were away. That process helped me connect with her emotions on a much deeper level. Building that warmth with Sai felt very natural. Both as Sonia and as Urmila, I felt most comfortable around her. She has a very sensible and mature presence, which naturally made me look up to her as an elder sister. She was also very helpful on set, sometimes guiding us through little things like managing the heavy lehengas and jewellery. Those small moments made our bond feel very organic, and I think that translated beautifully on screen.

Q3. What was the vibe like sharing frames with Sai, and how did you both build that natural warmth between the two characters?

This was my first mythological epic, and the energy on set was truly magical. Everyone was so calm and composed, and seeing everyone in their costumes almost felt like being transported to another era. That’s one of the things I love about being an actor—you’re mentally transported into a different world, but a set like this makes that experience physical too.

Q4. How were Ranbir Kapoor and the rest of the team with you during shoots, and what was the energy like between shoots?

Ranbir, in particular, was incredible. Whenever I saw him on set, he genuinely felt like Lord Rama. His walk, his mannerisms, his entire presence reflected the character. What fascinated me was how you could sense a shift in everyone’s energy the moment pack-up was announced. Until then, everyone seemed to truly inhabit the world and the characters they were portraying.

Q5. What has the collaborative experience been like working under Nitesh Tiwari's direction alongside a cast of this scale?

For me, Ramayana was collaboration in its truest sense. Everyone, across departments, was striving for excellence, whether it was the hair and makeup team, sound, the ADs or the director. I’ve often read about how meticulously Hollywood productions function, and working on this set gave me a similar feeling of witnessing everyone push themselves towards perfection. Nitesh Tiwari sir is undoubtedly one of the finest directors we have, and what stood out was how every single person came on board with the same commitment and gave their absolute best. Being part of an environment like that is truly inspiring as an actor.