Ranbir Kapoor has opened up about the emotional toll of taking on the role of Lord Rama in ‘Ramayana’, admitting that his first reaction was one of fear and uncertainty. Speaking during a panel discussion at San Diego Comic-Con alongside director Nitesh Tiwari, co-star Yash and producer Namit Malhotra, the actor said initial doubt gradually turned to gratitude as he embraced the ambitious mythological epic.
Ranbir Kapoor reflects on accepting the role
Recalling his reaction when they were first approached for the film, Ranbir admitted that he wondered if he was worthy of portraying one of the most revered figures in Indian mythology.He said: “I remember when I was first offered the film, there was so much fear, so much doubt. ‘Am I going to be able to do this, am I capable enough?’ But I think that doubt turned to gratitude very early on. I think it was a blessing, an opportunity of a lifetime and a moral responsibility.”The actor also spoke about the epic’s timeless relevance and Lord Rama’s enduring influence across generations.He added: “The Ramayana is ingrained in our subconscious. Lord Rama has been the guardian of the consciousness of millions of people around the world for generations, for more than 4000 years. He is someone who embodies the triumph of the human spirit in times of adversity. He stands for courage, compassion, forgiveness, righteousness, and this is a bold opportunity to represent.”Ranbir shared that once he started working on the film, he realized that the responsibility could only be fulfilled with sincerity and faith. According to him, the entire cast and crew remained committed to presenting the story honestly.He said: “Very early on, I understood that it just takes a lot of faith, a lot of belief, a lot of truthfulness and noble intentions. Our whole cast and crew had a noble intention, and that’s to tell the story as authentically as we can.”
Yash comes out in support of Ranbir Kapoor
Co-star Yash also addressed the controversy surrounding Ranbir’s casting, saying that the actor’s very humility showed why he was right for the role. He praised Ranbir’s dedication and acknowledged the challenges of portraying Lord Rama.Yash said, “No one in this world can come and say, ‘I have the virtue to play Lord Rama’. The fact that he (Ranbir) has said the same says it all. He is a fabulous actor. It is not easy to play Lord Rama and the way he has really worked, great respect for him.”
‘Ramayana’ trailer release postponed
The team was expected to unveil the first trailer of “Ramayana” globally during its appearance at San Diego Comic-Con. However, producer Namit Malhotra announced that the release had been postponed following the project’s association with Sony Pictures Entertainment.Sharing the update on social media, he wrote, “Today is a very special moment for our ‘Ramayana’, my dream of bringing Ramayana to the world is now a reality with our association with Sony Pictures Entertainment. In light of the above, we will release our trailer now globally at a later date.”He further added, “In over 100 years of Indian cinema, this will become a moment of great pride where Ramayana will be shown across the world like any major global Hollywood film. This is special as it opens the door for the people of the world to discover the richness of our culture and stories with renewed pride and enthusiasm.”
About “Ramayana”
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, ‘Ramayana’ is planned as a two-part cinematic saga. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash in a pivotal role. The ensemble cast also includes Ravie Dubey, Sunny Deol, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta, Arun Govil, Vivek Oberoi and Kunal Kapoor. The first installment is scheduled to hit theaters this November.