Faisal Malik, best known for his endearing portrayal of Prahlad “Prahladcha” Pandey in the hit web series Panchayat, is set to take on a much larger-than-life role in director Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of the Ramayana. Recent reports from Hindustan Times and other outlets confirm that Malik has been cast as Kumbhkaran, the younger brother of Ravana, which marks his first major career advancement.
Malik’s casting has generated considerable buzz because his supporters believe that his large body type helped him get the part. His tall, muscular build enables him to project the powerful presence that Kumbhkaran demands, as the character must match his epic strength and height. Malik joined the ensemble cast after Bobby Deol, who had been rumoured to join the project, left the production.
Malik has started filming his scenes for the project. He completed his first shooting schedule at Prime Focus Studios in Mumbai, where he filmed VFX-heavy introductory scenes. The sequences featuring Malik and Yash as Ravana used an international action crew and cutting-edge visual effects technology that resembled those in Hollywood blockbusters like Avatar. The extensive use of graphics and advanced stunt work demonstrates Tiwari’s complete vision for his magnum opus.
Malik finished his introduction, but the production will film his main battle scenes during its second part. Fans are excited to see his transformation into Kumbhkaran, as they expect him to deliver an outstanding performance in one of Indian cinema’s most highly anticipated projects.
