It’s Rishab Shetty’s ‘Jai Hanuman’ Vs Sunny Deol’s Hanuman
The two distinct interpretations of the Monkey God will give audiences a lot to think about
There is a battle brewing between two ‘gods’— not in heaven, but right here on earth!
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana with Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Rishab Shetty’s Jai Hanuman directed by Prashanth Verma, are likely to be released at around the same time.
While Rishab keeps to the traditional appearance of the Monkey God, Sunny is going with a more contemporary look. Rishab is being paid one of the highest salaries for an actor in the South—close to Rs 100 crores. Sunny has gone home with a much smaller cheque (Rs 25-30 crores), as he is not playing the pivotal role in the film.
Jai Hanuman is a direct sequel to the 2024 Telugu superhero film HanuMan and a part of Prasanth Varma’s superhero cinematic universe. Backed on a massive scale by Mythri Movie Makers and presented by T-Series, the story shifts focus from a human hero to the actual mythological figure of Lord Hanuman. It explores his exile during the ‘Kaliyug’ while keeping a sacred promise.
To capture the massive scale of Lord Hanuman, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana will heavily use CGI and visual effects. The character will feature Sunny Deol’s actual face, distinct mannerisms, and powerful voice layered over a CGI-enhanced physical presence. It may be recalled that fans were left disappointed when the Ramayana teaser dropped on Hanuman Jayanti, as the makers had opted to keep Sunny Deol's first look under wraps.
