Veteran actor Shobana is among the prominent names in the cast of the recent release, Ramayana: Part 1. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part 1 is a mythological film which is an adaptation of the ancient Indian Epic. The acclaimed Malayalam actor, plays the role of Kaikesi (the mother of Ravana, played by Yash) in the mythological fantasy drama.
The adaptation has been apreciated for its grandeur and powerful performances. Shobana's performance in the film has received notable attention and praise from viewers and critics for giving substantial depth to the character often sidelined in previous adaptations of the epic. The film marks another significant addition to the actor's career spanning over four decades. Known for her work in the South Indian film industry, Shobana is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.
Born on March 21, 1970, Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai began her career at a young age and rose to prominence through her performances in Malayalam cinema. The actor has earned two National Awards for Best Actress for her performance in the Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu (1993), in which she portrayed Ganga, and an English film Mitr, My Friend (2001). She has acted in over 200 films throughout her career and also featured in the sci-fi mythological epic, Kalki 2898 AD. Additionally, the popular dancer has won several other awards, including the esteemed Padma Bhushan (2025) and Padma Shri (2006).
Apart from being an actor, Shobana is an accomplished classical dancer who trained under renowned gurus. She is the founder of Kalarpana, a dance institute in Chennai, through which she contributes by promoting the art form. Its philosophy is to provide a holistic view of the various aspects of dance—practical, theoretical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. Shobana has been performing and teaching Bharatanatyam for decades now.
In Ramayana: Part 1, Shobana portrays Kaikesi, a significant figure in Ravana's backstory. Mother of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana and Surpanakha, her character is central to the lineage of Lanka's royal family.
The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Yash as Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. The ensemble also includes Sunny Deol, Vivek Oberoi, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh and Kajal Aggarwal. The film has opened to a strong box-office response worldwide with its Diwali theatrical release on November 5.
