The casting of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's much-awaited Ramayana has once again become a talking point, this time after filmmaker Shiv Sagar, grandson of legendary director Ramanand Sagar, shared his reservations about the choice. While Shiv Sagar made it clear that he considers Ranbir a talented actor, he admitted that he personally finds it difficult to imagine the actor as Lord Ram after seeing him in some of his previous roles, particularly the intense and controversial character from Animal.
Shiv Sagar's concern is less about Ranbir's acting ability and more about the image an actor carries with them. He explained that, for a character as culturally significant as Lord Ram, he would have preferred someone without a strong association with previous film roles. According to him, a fresh face could allow audiences to see the performer only as Ram rather than bringing memories of earlier characters into the experience. He also praised the casting of Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita, saying they do not carry the same kind of "baggage" in his view.
At the same time, Shiv Sagar acknowledged the commercial reality behind casting a major Bollywood star. Ranbir Kapoor comes with enormous popularity and an established audience, which can give a large-scale project like Ramayana an immediate marketing advantage. Shiv Sagar suggested that the actor's presence could help the film attract greater attention and reach audiences on a much larger scale. So while he personally would have chosen a new face for Lord Ram, he understands why the makers may have opted for one of Hindi cinema's biggest current stars.
His comments carry additional weight because of his family's extraordinary connection with the story. Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan became one of the most beloved television adaptations of the epic, with its portrayal of the characters leaving a lasting impression on generations of Indian viewers. Shiv Sagar believes that this emotional connection makes casting choices particularly sensitive. For many viewers, Lord Ram is not simply a fictional character being interpreted on screen, but a deeply revered figure whose image has a very personal and cultural significance.
Interestingly, Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana also features an actor who has a direct connection to the earlier television series. Arun Govil, who famously portrayed Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, has been cast as King Dashrath in the new film. The movie also stars Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lord Lakshman and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, giving the ambitious project an ensemble filled with recognisable names. Govil's presence, in particular, creates a fascinating bridge between the iconic television adaptation and this new cinematic interpretation.
Despite the debate surrounding its casting, Ramayana remains one of the most anticipated Indian films, with Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana at the centre of the epic. Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled to arrive worldwide in cinemas on November 6, 2026. As the release approaches, audiences will undoubtedly have their own opinions about whether Ranbir can completely transform into the revered character—and whether the film can create a new cinematic image of Ram without overshadowing the memories of adaptations that came before it.