Exclusive: Jacqueline Fernandez To Play Sita In Akshay Kumar’s ‘Ram Setu’

When it comes to period dramas and stories inspired from epics, it’s always an exciting one to look forward to. Last year, around Diwali, Akshay Kumar announced that he is all set to star in a film titled ‘Ram Setu’ that is inspired from the Ramayana and Lord Ram’s ideals and life. Now, latest news about the film is about who is set to star alongside him in this film. Given he is essaying the role inspired by Lord Ram, we have scoop that Jacqueline Fernandez is set to star opposite him in the role of Sita, his wife. This is not the first time that we will be seeing Jacky and Akshay share screen space as they have previously acted in movies like Brothers, Housefull 2, and Housefull 3, and just wrapped up the shoot of Bachchan Pandey recently.

 A Time Of India article also adds that Nushrratt Bharuchha is set to play the other female lead in the film. This will be the first time that she will be sharing screen space with both Akshay and Jacqueline. The poster shared by Akshay last year shows him looking dishelved, standing with a cross-body bag, wearing cargo pants and an orange scarf, donning some lock locks and glasses. The film is reportedly set to be shot in Ayodhya, where the original epic was based. Akshay and the makers even reportedly spoke to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, to procure permission to shoot there. He will mostly start shoot for it by mid-2021. Check out the poster:

Coming back to Jacqueline’s part in the film, I am super excited and can’t wait to know about Nushrratt’s part next!

Beyond the Myth: Unpacking Jacqueline Fernandez’s Role in Akshay Kumar’s Action-Adventure, ‘Ram Setu’

The announcement of any film starring Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar often sparks intense speculation, but few films generated as much early buzz and subsequent clarification as his 2022 action-adventure, Ram Setu. The project, which promised a deep dive into the historical and mythological bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka, captured the public imagination instantly. However, an early, widely circulated ‘exclusive’ report about Jacqueline Fernandez’s role in the film led to significant discussion, suggesting she would portray a modern-day Sita.

While the initial casting news hinted at an epic retelling, the final film, directed by Abhishek Sharma, positioned itself as a contemporary archaeological thriller. Fernandez’s actual role was far different from the mythological figure, yet equally crucial to the movie’s high-stakes mission.

This article cuts through the rumors to explore the true essence of Jacqueline Fernandez’s character, the exciting premise of Ram Setu, and the star power she brought to the adventurous narrative.

The Rumor vs. The Reality: Clarifying Jacqueline’s Character

The early reports suggesting Jacqueline Fernandez would be cast as the legendary goddess Sita, wife of Lord Ram, were based on the film’s title, which invokes the epic Ramayana. Akshay Kumar’s own character was initially described as being “inspired by Lord Ram,” fueling the mythological speculation. Given the devotional significance of the Ram Setu (also known as Adam’s Bridge) in Indian culture, the idea of a modern-day mythological drama was appealing to many.

However, as the film moved closer to release and official character details were unveiled, the reality of the narrative became clear.

Jacqueline Fernandez played the character of Dr. Sandra Rebello.

She was not a modern-day Sita, but rather a fierce, intelligent, and essential member of the expedition team. Fernandez herself introduced the character to the audience, describing Dr. Sandra Rebello as “The most daring environmental scientist”.

Her portrayal was that of an “environmental warrior” who provides critical support and expertise to the main mission. This character grounding—a modern professional with a high-tech toolkit and a scientific mindset—firmly placed Ram Setu in the genre of action-adventure and archaeological thriller, distinguishing it from a direct religious epic.

Dr. Sandra Rebello: The Environmental Warrior

Dr. Sandra Rebello is pivotal to the high-stakes mission undertaken by the protagonist. Her role is not merely a supporting one; she is a core member whose expertise is indispensable to the archaeological investigation.

• A Daring Environmental Scientist: Dr. Rebello is introduced as an expert in environmental science, suggesting her knowledge base is crucial for navigating the complex marine environment where the Ram Setu is located.
• Part of the Core Trio: She teams up with Dr. Aryan Kulshrestha (Akshay Kumar), an archaeologist, and A.P. (Satyadev Kancharana) to prove the existence and historical significance of the Ram Setu. Her perspective as a scientist complements the archaeologist’s, adding a layer of scientific rigor to the adventure.
• The Mission: The film centers on a desperate race against time. The villainous forces seek to destroy the Ram Setu for commercial gain (implied to be an environmental/marine project), and Dr. Rebello’s environmental advocacy and scientific backing are vital in countering their argument and efforts.

The complexity of her character—a scientist who must undertake a physically demanding, often dangerous, adventure—added a fresh dimension to Fernandez’s filmography, moving her away from typical romantic or purely glamorous roles.

The Plot of ‘Ram Setu’: An Archaeological Race Against Time

Ram Setu is built on a high-concept premise that merges Indian history, mythology, and modern archaeology to create a thrilling narrative. The film, directed by Abhishek Sharma, tells a story set in contemporary India.

The Central Conflict:

The plot revolves around Dr. Aryan Kulshrestha (Akshay Kumar), an archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). He starts the film as an atheist but is challenged to race against powerful corporate interests—the “evil forces”—who wish to destroy the legendary Ram Setu (Adam’s Bridge).

The narrative unfolds as Dr. Kulshrestha embarks on a mission to scientifically prove the true existence and antiquity of the bridge, transforming from a skeptic to a believer in the process. The research conducted by the team, including Dr. Rebello, eventually finds evidence suggesting the Ram Setu is indeed thousands of years old, predating known history, and possibly an ancient man-made structure.

• Akshay Kumar’s Character Arc: Dr. Aryan Kulshrestha’s journey is one of faith and discovery, positioning him as the modern explorer fighting to protect India’s heritage. His character’s visual look, with cargo pants, an orange scarf, and long locks, established him as the adventurer from the moment the first poster dropped.
• Other Key Cast: The film also starred Nushrratt Bharuccha as Professor Gayatri Kulshrestha, Dr. Aryan’s wife, who is described as his biggest supporter and critic. The ensemble cast, including Satyadev as Anjaneyan Pushpakumaran “AP” and Nassar as the businessman Indrakant, rounded out the primary and antagonistic roles.
• Production and Release: The film was announced in 2020 and faced production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was eventually released theatrically on October 25, 2022, coinciding with the Diwali festival. Ram Setu was a joint production between various banners, including Amazon Prime Video, marking the streaming giant’s first Bollywood co-production in India.

Jacqueline and Akshay: A Proven On-Screen Partnership

Ram Setu marked yet another collaboration between Jacqueline Fernandez and Akshay Kumar. Their professional partnership has resulted in several successful films over the years, including Brothers, Housefull 2, and Housefull 3, and they had also recently worked on Bachchhan Paandey. This history of shared screen space allowed for a comfortable and dynamic professional chemistry, which was essential for portraying the high-stakes teamwork required in the action-adventure genre of Ram Setu.

The true story of Jacqueline Fernandez’s involvement in Ram Setu is one of an actor taking on a contemporary, scientific-minded, and action-oriented role—Dr. Sandra Rebello—a far cry from the mythological ‘Sita’ that the initial rumors suggested. Her contribution was vital in proving that the cinematic investigation into the Ram Setu was a thrilling blend of science, history, and adventure.

AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: What was Jacqueline Fernandez’s actual role in the movie Ram Setu?

A: Jacqueline Fernandez played the role of Dr. Sandra Rebello in Ram Setu. She was an environmental scientist and a core member of the expedition team that set out to prove the existence and antiquity of the Ram Setu.

Q2: Did Jacqueline Fernandez play the role of Sita in Ram Setu?

A: No, Jacqueline Fernandez did not play the role of Sita. While early, unconfirmed rumors suggested she might be cast as a modern-day Sita due to the film’s title, her confirmed and official role was that of Dr. Sandra Rebello, an environmental scientist.

Q3: Who was the female lead opposite Akshay Kumar in Ram Setu?

A: Ram Setu featured two prominent female leads: Jacqueline Fernandez as Dr. Sandra Rebello (the environmental scientist) and Nushrratt Bharuccha as Professor Gayatri Kulshrestha (Dr. Aryan Kulshrestha’s wife and a professor).

Q4: What is the main plot of Akshay Kumar’s Ram Setu movie?

A: The main plot of Ram Setu is an action-adventure thriller centered on Dr. Aryan Kulshrestha (Akshay Kumar), an archaeologist who begins as an atheist but must race against time to scientifically prove the existence of the legendary Ram Setu. He works with Dr. Sandra Rebello and A.P. to prevent powerful, evil forces from destroying the historical and cultural landmark.

Q5: Who was the director of the movie Ram Setu?

A: The movie Ram Setu was directed by Abhishek Sharma.