Ramayana continues to dominate headlines

Ever since the teaser of Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited Ramayana was unveiled, the film has remained one of the biggest talking points in Indian cinema. With Ranbir Kapoor playing Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, the film has generated massive excitement for its scale, visuals and ambitious storytelling.

However, alongside the praise, the casting of Ranbir Kapoor has once again sparked debate.

Ramanand Sagar’s grandson shares his views

Shiv Sagar, grandson of legendary filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, recently shared his thoughts on the upcoming adaptation.

He praised the teaser for its grand visuals and international-level presentation, saying the film looks visually spectacular and has the potential to introduce the epic to a new generation.

Full marks for Yash and Sai Pallavi

Shiv Sagar had special praise for Yash and Sai Pallavi.

According to him, Yash appears powerful and convincing as Ravana, while Sai Pallavi naturally carries the grace and simplicity required for the role of Sita. He believes both actors look perfectly suited for their respective characters.

Why he questioned Ranbir Kapoor’s casting

While appreciating Ranbir Kapoor's acting talent, Shiv Sagar said that portraying Lord Ram is different from playing any other character.

He explained that after Animal, Ranbir carries a very strong on-screen image, or what he described as "baggage." In his opinion, audiences may find it difficult to completely separate that image while watching him as Lord Ram.

He added that such iconic and deeply respected mythological characters are often better portrayed by actors without an established cinematic persona.

Not criticism, but a personal perspective

Shiv Sagar clarified that his comments should not be seen as criticism of Ranbir Kapoor or the film.

He acknowledged Ranbir as one of the finest actors of his generation but said that for Lord Ram, he personally prefers a fresh face who allows audiences to connect with the character without preconceived associations.

Why Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan became timeless

Shiv Sagar also pointed to the success of Ramanand Sagar's iconic 1987 television series Ramayan.

Actors like Arun Govil, Deepika Chikhalia and Sunil Lahri were not major stars when they were cast. As a result, audiences accepted them completely as Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman, making those performances unforgettable even decades later.

He believes that this remains one of the biggest strengths of the original adaptation.

Expectations from Nitesh Tiwari's film remain high

Despite his reservations regarding Ranbir Kapoor's casting, Shiv Sagar said he is excited about the film and hopes it lives up to its enormous expectations.

With its stellar cast, cutting-edge visual effects and global production scale, Ramayana is expected to be one of the biggest Indian films ever made.

Whether audiences embrace Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram will ultimately be decided when the film reaches theatres.