Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, who has had a lot of iconic roles under his belt, most famously of all in Mahabharat and Shaktimaan, sparked fresh controversy with his comments over Ranbir Kapoor’s selection as Lord Ram in the Nitesh Tiwari-directed adaptation of Ramayana. Talking recently, Khanna raised issues about how Kapoor’s recent role in Animal will go against the grain with the audience’s perception of Lord Ram, as if he is virtuous and divine.
Khanna’s Insecurity About Casting Khanna stated that portraying a character like Lord Ram is a tremendous responsibility not only in the performance but also in personal behavior. He said, “Whoever plays Ram must embody Ram; he shouldn’t look like Raavan. If, in real life, they’re a lewd hooligan (lampat chhichhora), then it will show on screen. If you’re playing Ram, you’re not allowed to party and drink.”
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He also said that the inevitable comparisons with Arun Govil, who has immortalized the role as Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s 1987 TV series Ramayan, are inevitable. For Khanna, Govil’s performance has become the “gold standard” for the role, and filmmakers have to tread carefully to make sure that the casting falls within the expectations of the audiences.
On Ranbir Kapoor and Casting Challenges
While Khanna admitted Ranbir Kapoor as a talented actor and a “beacon of the Kapoor family,” he asked if his recent role in Animal as a violent and aggressive character would change the way the audience perceives him as Lord Ram. He mentioned the mixed reception of Prabhas as Ram in Adipurush, saying that the failure was not due to lack of acting talent but because of the lack of the divine look or aura associated with the character:
Prabhas wasn’t accepted, despite being such a huge star… Not because he’s a bad actor, but because he doesn’t look like Ram.” Khanna urged filmmakers to focus on the spiritual and moral core of the character while casting for the role, as the character requires an actor who embodies the qualities of Lord Ram in himself.
The Star-Studded Cast of Ramayana
Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of Ramayana has generated significant buzz. Alongside Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi has reportedly been cast as Sita, with Sunny Deol rumored to play Hanuman. Arun Govil, who famously portrayed Ram in the 1987 TV series, is also said to have a key role in the project, along with Lara Dutta.
Release Details
The film is to be released in two parts, with the first installment scheduled for Diwali 2026 and the second for Diwali 2027. Although Khanna had reservations, the anticipation for this epic adaptation remains high, as fans are keen to know how Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi would carry their respective roles under Tiwari’s direction.