Sunny Deol’s Lord Hanuman Entry Gives Ramayana a Powerful Sequel Hook
Ramayana has arrived in cinemas amid intense anticipation, and its closing moments are already emerging as one of the film’s biggest talking points. After several days of previews across India, audience reactions have added to the excitement surrounding the ambitious mythological drama. The first instalment ends with a major reveal: the much-awaited appearance of Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman.
The moment is designed to leave viewers with a sense of awe—and a compelling reason to return for the next chapter. Rather than introducing Hanuman early in the story, the film saves Sunny Deol’s appearance for its closing stretch, turning the character’s arrival into a dramatic bridge between the two parts. The choice gives the first film a striking final beat while setting up the scale and emotional stakes of the sequel.
A closing moment built for the big screen
Sunny Deol’s entry is expected to be a major crowd-pleaser, particularly for audiences who have been waiting to see the actor take on the revered role. His screen presence and powerful performance style make him a natural fit for a character associated with courage, devotion and immense strength. The reveal arrives as the end credits begin, giving the sequence the feel of a cinematic event rather than a routine introduction.
In a theatrical setting, a carefully timed appearance like this can transform the final minutes into a shared audience experience. Viewers may stay through the credits, react together to the reveal and leave the cinema discussing what the moment could mean for the next instalment. That kind of conversation can help sustain interest in a film well beyond its opening weekend—especially when the story is planned as a multi-part saga.
The placement also suggests that the first film is focused on establishing its world and central conflict before bringing Hanuman into the narrative. His arrival can therefore serve as both a dramatic payoff and a promise of what lies ahead. For audiences, the question is no longer simply how the first chapter ends, but how Hanuman’s presence will shape the events of the second.
Why the reveal recalls the Baahubali effect
The strategy has drawn comparisons with the cliffhanger ending of the first Baahubali film. That movie concluded with the question, “Why did Kattappa kill Baahubali?”, a mystery that became a nationwide talking point and helped build extraordinary curiosity for the sequel. The question travelled beyond cinema halls, driving fan theories, media coverage and conversations among moviegoers.
Ramayana is taking a different route, but the underlying idea is similar: end the first instalment with a memorable revelation that encourages audiences to speculate about the next one. Instead of a mystery about a character’s fate, the film offers the arrival of a major figure from the epic. Hanuman’s introduction naturally raises questions about his role, his relationship with the other characters and the part he will play in the unfolding conflict.
There is an important distinction, however. A successful cliffhanger does more than advertise a sequel; it needs to feel earned within the story. By presenting Hanuman at the end of the first part, the filmmakers can give the audience a moment of anticipation while preserving room to develop the character and his journey in the follow-up. The impact will depend on how effectively the next film builds on the promise of this introduction.
Sunny Deol adds a new dimension to the ensemble
Sunny Deol’s casting brings a distinctive presence to a project already attracting attention for its scale and star power. Known to generations of Hindi-film audiences, the actor carries a strong association with intensity and larger-than-life roles. His portrayal of Lord Hanuman therefore gives the character a recognisable cinematic identity while inviting viewers to see how the film interprets one of the most beloved figures in the epic tradition.
For a mythological story, such a role comes with particular expectations. Audiences may look for strength and spectacle, but they will also want to see the devotion, humility and moral conviction that define Hanuman. Balancing those qualities can be central to making the character feel more than a dramatic entrance. The sequel will have the opportunity to explore that fuller portrayal, turning the final reveal into the beginning of a substantial character arc.
The casting is also likely to broaden the film’s appeal. Long-time Sunny Deol fans may be drawn by the prospect of seeing him in a fresh and culturally significant role, while younger viewers may discover a new side of the actor through the franchise. That combination can strengthen the film’s reach across different audience groups—a valuable advantage for a major Bollywood release built around a story familiar to viewers across India.
High expectations after previews
Previews have played a key role in building momentum for Ramayana, with early reactions adding to the conversation around its presentation and storytelling. For a film based on a widely known epic, audience interest is shaped not only by its cast and visual scale but also by how it balances familiarity with fresh cinematic choices. The Hanuman reveal provides a clear focal point for that discussion.
It also gives the makers a strong promotional asset as attention shifts towards the second part. A well-received final sequence can encourage repeat viewings, fuel online discussion and keep the franchise in the public eye between releases. At the same time, the sequel will need to deliver on the anticipation created by the first film’s ending. The more memorable the reveal, the greater the expectation for what follows.
Sunny Deol’s appearance is therefore more than a late-film surprise. It is a carefully positioned moment that connects the two instalments, gives audiences a reason to look ahead and places Lord Hanuman at the centre of the conversation. Whether the scene becomes a lasting theatrical highlight will ultimately depend on the full film and the story that follows—but its timing has already made it one of Ramayana’s most anticipated sequences.
For now, the first part closes on a note designed to leave audiences excited, curious and ready for more. With Sunny Deol stepping into the role of Lord Hanuman, Ramayana has found a dramatic way to turn its ending into the beginning of another chapter.
