India, Nov. 1 -- For actor Nitish Sharma, being cast as Shatrughan in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Rise of a Legend felt like an instance of "pure destiny". Transitioning from theatre to one of cinema's most ambitious epics has been a significant milestone in his journey. "Bringing Ayodhya's unsung prince to life was a magical experience for me," he says." Recalling how he landed the role, Nitish shares, "I was reading the Ramcharitmanas, specifically the Bharat Milap scene, when I received a call from Mukesh Chhabra's office. They wanted to test me for Lakshman in Nitesh Tiwari sir's pilot film." During the pilot test, Tiwari asked him to perform as Lord Ram instead. "He liked my performance and mentioned finding something for me. Six months later, I was shortlisted for Shatrughan." "Earlier I had faced a major setback," says Nitish as he was dropped from another project. "It was heartbreaking, but my mother encouraged me to read the Ramcharitmanas for peace," he recalls and adds, "Getting Ramayana right after losing a role taught me that rejection is often just redirection. God's plan is always greater than ours." Playing Shatrughan the "destroyer of enemies" for him meant exploring a character often overshadowed by his brothers. "Shatrughan is fascinating because while less discussed, his contribution is vital. When Ram and Lakshman go into exile and Bharat declines the throne, Shatrughan steps up to govern Ayodhya without seeking the spotlight. Nitesh sir's main guidance was to remain truthful to the scene. Ultimately, you have to respond honestly to the circumstances." Embodying an ancient warrior prince also required specific physical and vocal preparation. "My theatre background gave me a strong foundation in Hindi, diction, and discipline," Nitish explains....