Ranbir Kapoor has described portraying Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayana as one of the most demanding and meaningful roles of his career. After taking on diverse characters throughout his journey in cinema, including musicians, intense action figures, and emotionally complex personalities, the actor said playing a revered spiritual figure worshipped by millions requires a completely different level of dedication.
During a Ramayana panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Ranbir appeared alongside co-star Yash, director Nitesh Tiwari, and producer Namit Malhotra. In a conversation with Fanversation, the actor opened up about the extensive preparation involved in bringing the iconic character to life.
Ranbir explained that the biggest challenge was not physical transformation but understanding Lord Rama’s values, philosophy, and principles. He said that building a certain physique or preparing for action sequences is relatively straightforward compared with developing the emotional and spiritual depth needed for such an important role.
The actor emphasized that his goal was to present Lord Rama in a way that feels authentic and relatable to audiences across generations. According to him, understanding the teachings and essence of the character was far more important than focusing only on appearance.
To prepare for the role, Ranbir revealed that he spent significant time studying various interpretations of the Ramayana, consulting scholars, and following spiritual practices. He shared that he practiced yoga for two years and worked closely with a spiritual guide named Suvir, who helped him meditate and gain a deeper understanding of Lord Rama’s teachings.
The team behind Ramayana attended San Diego Comic-Con with plans for a worldwide trailer launch. However, the release was postponed shortly before the scheduled unveiling. Producer Namit Malhotra announced that the trailer would arrive at a later date, describing the project as a landmark moment for Indian cinema.
Malhotra said the film aims to introduce the richness of Indian culture and storytelling to audiences worldwide on a scale comparable to major international productions. The partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment is expected to help bring the epic story to a global audience.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is planned as a two-part cinematic saga, with the first installment scheduled for a theatrical release in November. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The ensemble cast also includes actors such as Sunny Deol, Ravie Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta, Arun Govil, Vivek Oberoi, and Kunal Kapoor.
