Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has responded to the criticism surrounding his casting as Lord Rama in filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated Ramayana, saying that he does not believe there is one specific actor who can be considered the only “right” choice to portray the revered Hindu figure.

The actor’s comments come amid growing public interest in the ambitious two-part epic, which has generated considerable discussion since the release of its first teaser. While the glimpse of the film received appreciation from many viewers, Ranbir’s casting also became a subject of debate on social media, with some sections of the audience questioning whether he was the appropriate choice for such a culturally and spiritually significant role.

Addressing the criticism, Ranbir said that his initial reaction to being offered the role was not about excitement or celebrity status but about whether he was worthy of carrying such a responsibility. According to the actor, portraying Lord Rama is fundamentally different from taking on an ordinary fictional character because the figure has deep religious, cultural and emotional significance for millions of people.

Ranbir explained that he initially questioned whether he was the right person for the part and wondered why such a responsibility had been entrusted to him. However, as he became more involved with the project, he said he began to understand the scale of the opportunity and the responsibility attached to representing a character whose story has remained relevant across generations.

For the actor, the challenge is not simply to “play” Lord Rama but to approach the character with sincerity, respect and the right intentions. He suggested that different people have developed their own mental images and interpretations of Rama over the years, making it impossible for any single actor to universally match everyone’s expectations.

Ranbir Kapoor responds to criticism over his casting

The casting of Ranbir as Lord Rama has been one of the most closely watched aspects of Ramayana. The actor’s popularity and established image in mainstream Hindi cinema have brought additional attention to the role, while the spiritual importance of the character has made the casting particularly sensitive.

Ranbir acknowledged that audiences may have different opinions about whether he is suited to the part. He recognised that some viewers may believe he is not the right choice, while others may feel that his casting is appropriate.

However, he argued that there is no universally accepted physical representation of Lord Rama that an actor must replicate. Instead, he believes the most important qualities are the actor’s personal approach, faith in the story and commitment to portraying the character with genuine intent.

His comments reflect the wider challenge faced by filmmakers attempting to adapt stories from India’s religious and cultural traditions for a modern cinematic audience. Characters such as Lord Rama carry meanings that extend well beyond the boundaries of cinema, and any screen adaptation is likely to attract intense public scrutiny.

For Ramayana, the expectations are particularly high because the project aims to bring one of India’s most enduring epics to a large-scale theatrical audience. The filmmakers are therefore under pressure to balance cinematic ambition with cultural sensitivity and respect for the source material. 

Yash praises Ranbir’s performance as Lord Rama

Ranbir has also received support from his co-star Yash, who plays the role of Ravana in the film. During the team’s promotional activities, Yash praised the effort involved in portraying Lord Rama and acknowledged the difficulty of taking on such an iconic character.

Yash described Ranbir’s performance as impressive and highlighted the amount of preparation and hard work that had gone into the portrayal. He also pointed to the qualities of intention and sacrifice that are central to the character of Rama, suggesting that the performance should be viewed in the broader context of the film’s interpretation of the epic.

The praise from Yash adds another dimension to the discussion surrounding Ranbir’s casting. While audience reactions remain divided, members of the film’s cast have publicly expressed confidence in his ability to handle the demanding role.

A high-profile cast for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is being mounted as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the epic. The project has attracted significant attention because of its large scale, star-studded cast and ambitious visual presentation.

Ranbir Kapoor is set to portray Lord Rama, while Sai Pallavi plays Sita. Yash takes on the role of Ravana, with Sunny Deol portraying Lord Hanuman. The cast also includes Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari and Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana.

Several other prominent actors are associated with the project in important roles, adding to the film’s considerable ensemble. The scale of the production has also contributed to expectations that the movie could become one of the biggest Indian cinematic projects in recent years.

The film is reportedly being made on an exceptionally large budget, reflecting the producers’ intention to create an expansive visual interpretation of the epic. The project is expected to combine large-scale production design, visual effects and modern filmmaking technology with the traditional narrative of the Ramayana.

The challenge of portraying a revered cultural figure

The debate over Ranbir’s casting highlights a recurring issue in Indian cinema: how filmmakers should approach characters who are deeply embedded in public consciousness.

For audiences, Lord Rama is not merely a character from a historical or mythological narrative. He is a revered figure whose qualities, actions and values have been interpreted through religious texts, regional traditions, theatre, television and popular culture for centuries.

As a result, viewers may carry different expectations about how Rama should look, speak and behave. This makes the task of selecting an actor particularly challenging. An actor who appears suitable to one section of the audience may not necessarily meet the expectations of another.

Ranbir’s argument is that the performance should ultimately be judged by the actor’s sincerity and understanding of the role rather than by whether he fits a predetermined physical image. His comments also suggest that the filmmakers are approaching the character with an awareness of the responsibility involved in adapting such a significant story.

The discussion is likely to continue as more promotional material is released and audiences get a clearer picture of the film’s interpretation of the epic.

Release plans for the two-part epic

The first instalment of Ramayana is scheduled to arrive in theatres during Diwali 2026, with the second part planned for release during Diwali 2027.

With its high-profile cast, large production scale and culturally significant subject, the film is expected to remain one of the most closely followed Bollywood projects leading up to its theatrical release.

For Ranbir Kapoor, however, the focus appears to be on the responsibility of portraying Lord Rama rather than simply responding to the debate over his casting. His latest remarks underline his belief that no actor can universally satisfy every viewer’s expectations when portraying such a revered figure.

As anticipation builds, the ultimate response to his portrayal will depend on how audiences receive the completed film. Until then, the discussion over whether Ranbir was the right choice for the role is likely to remain an important part of the conversation surrounding Ramayana.