IIT Bombay graduate quits programming to make film about Ramayana

Mani Kantesh Allapuram experienced a surreal moment upon seeing his name in the final credits of the film 'Ramayana', after years of observing the filmmaking process.

His creative journey began with simple video editing and great curiosity. His father introduced him to video editing in eleventh grade. Since then, Mani has started creating his ideas online, engaging in editing and graphic design simply because he loved to create.

During quarantine, he deepened his passion, spending hours experimenting with various creative tools. Even while studying computer science concurrently, he found ways to explore visual storytelling.

These experiments eventually opened up an unexpected opportunity for him. His work attracted the attention of DNEG, one of the leading visual effects studios in the world. In early 2026, he joined the team as a creative technology artist and got the chance to contribute to the 'Ramayana' project.

For someone who previously watched movies dreaming of the magic behind them, the opportunity to be mentioned alongside such distinguished industry artists as A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer is a moment of complete fulfillment. As Mani says, 'Your boy made it to the big screen.'

This case serves as a reminder that things created purely out of love for the process can sometimes lead to extraordinary places.

Actor Satyen Chaturvedi, who was set to play the role of Sumanta in Nitesh Tiwari's recently released film 'Ramayana,' stated that his scenes were removed from the final product. He shared this information through a social media post.

Despite this, the actor expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be chosen for a role in such a large-scale project based on an epic. In his post, Chaturvedi wrote that not all scenes shot by the actor necessarily make it into the final version of the film, and this is part of the creative process.

He specified that his parts in 'Ramayana,' directed by Nitesh Tiwari with Namit Malhotra's involvement, were excluded. The actor also thanked casting director Mukesh Chhabda for selecting him for the role. Chaturvedi noted that even if his scenes are not shown on screen, the memories and experience gained will remain with him forever.

Although Chaturvedi confirmed the removal of his material, the reason for this decision is currently unknown, and no official comments have been issued by the film's creators regarding this matter.

The film 'Ramayana,' which was released on November 5th, stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Palvi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. This project is considered one of the most anticipated Indian cinema projects.

Regarding commercial performance, there was a 25.9% drop in net revenue on the second day of release in India. On Friday, the film earned 48.05 crore rupees, compared to 64.85 crore rupees on the first day. Nevertheless, despite this decline, the film surpassed the 100 crore rupee mark within two days, achieving a total net revenue of 112.90 crore rupees.

After appearing on the big screen in the film 'Ramayana' with Ranbir Kapoor, where he played the role of Prabhu Rama, actor Ravi Dubey attracted viewers' attention with his look as Lakshman. He won the public's favor not only with his innocent appearance but also with his impressive physical condition.

Following the film's premiere, Ravi Dubey became a topic of discussion due to his energy and excellent physical fitness. Many are curious how he manages to look so young and toned at the age of 42. However, it turned out that his secret lies not in magic, but in regular training, balanced nutrition, and discipline.

The actor considers fitness an integral part of his life. Daily, he dedicates about one and a half hours to physical exercises, including strength training no less than four times a week. Strength sessions help strengthen muscles and give the body power, while daily runs or walks of about 10 kilometers contribute to increasing endurance and stamina.

According to Ravi, simply going to the gym is not enough to maintain shape; nutrition plays an equally important role. He adheres to a healthy and clean diet, focusing on organic and natural products. Reports indicate that he pays attention to portion control and creating a calorie deficit. Furthermore, Ravi specified that he does not use protein shakes or supplements, preferring to get protein from food.

The actor also emphasizes the importance of body hydration, advising to drink eight to ten glasses of water daily to prevent various health problems. Additionally, he ensures adequate sleep. Ravi believes that yoga and mental relaxation are just as important for combating stress as physical exercise. He concludes that if these principles are followed, fitness will surely reward him.