Mukesh Khanna expresses doubts about Ranbir Kapoor's suitability for the Lord Rama role in an upcoming Ramayana production
In an unexpected turn of events, veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has expressed serious reservations about Ranbir Kapoor's casting as Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming Ramayana. Khanna, known for his roles as Shaktimaan and Bhishma Pitamah, has raised concerns about the conflict between Ranbir Kapoor’s existing public persona and the portrayal of the quintessentially humble and ideal Maryada Purushottam Lord Rama.
Khanna's concerns stem from Ranbir Kapoor's role in the movie "Animal", where he portrayed a warrior. This image, according to Khanna, may clash with the dignified Maryada Purushottam image of Lord Rama that audiences expect. He argues that Rama is the ideal man who humbly accepted exile and did not rely solely on combat skills or single-handed warfare.
Moreover, Khanna criticized the film's portrayal of Rama as a warrior climbing trees and shooting arrows, contending that this depiction is at odds with traditional understandings of Rama’s character. He emphasized that Rama would not have fought Ravana alone without seeking the help of monkeys, and that portraying Rama as a warrior like Krishna or Arjuna could alienate the audience who hold Rama’s humility and adherence to dharma as central to his identity.
Khanna warned the filmmakers not to repeat the perceived mistakes made in previous adaptations like Adipurush, suggesting that showing Rama in a more aggressive or warrior-like role might not be accepted by the public. He also expressed discomfort with visuals of Ranbir Kapoor climbing trees and shooting arrows as these do not align with Rama's traditional depiction.
Ranbir Kapoor, on the other hand, has expressed his thoughts on his role in "Animal", believing it to be the right role for him at the right time. However, the movie faced criticism for the violence and misogyny portrayed in his lead role. As for Khanna's speculation about Ranbir Kapoor possibly quitting beef eating, there has been no official confirmation from the actor himself.
The movie "Ramayana" is scheduled to release in two parts: one on Diwali 2026 and the other on Diwali 2027. The upcoming film promises to be a significant undertaking, and with Khanna's concerns in mind, it will be interesting to see how the filmmakers navigate these complexities to deliver a faithful and respectful adaptation of the epic tale.
[1] Times of India, "Mukesh Khanna voices concerns over Ranbir Kapoor's casting as Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana", link
[2] Hindustan Times, "Mukesh Khanna expresses reservations about Ranbir Kapoor playing Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana", link
[3] NDTV, "Mukesh Khanna raises concerns over Ranbir Kapoor's casting as Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana", link
[4] India Today, "Mukesh Khanna voices concerns over Ranbir Kapoor's casting as Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana", link
[5] Bollywood Hungama, "Mukesh Khanna expresses concerns over Ranbir Kapoor playing Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana", link
Khanna's concerns about Ranbir Kapoor's casting as Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana extend beyond the actor's public persona, as he also criticizes the depiction of Rama as a warrior in movies-and-tv, stating that such portrayals clash with the traditional understanding of Rama's character and may not resonate with the audience. In response to criticisms of Ranbir Kapoor's role in the movie "Animal", Khanna argues that entertainment involving celebrities should not rely solely on action and violence, but instead focus on portraying the ideals and values embodied by the characters, such as humility and adherence to dharma, as represented by Lord Rama.
