Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has shared his thoughts on Ranbir Kapoor's ambitious upcoming epic Ramayana, making it clear that conversations surrounding the film should focus on its story and characters rather than its massive reported budget and visual effects. Speaking at the trailer launch event of his upcoming film Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace, Salman expressed his disappointment with the constant discussions about production costs and VFX. According to the actor, a film based on one of India's greatest epics deserves attention for its narrative and the legendary characters at its heart. His comments have now added an interesting perspective to the growing conversations around Nitesh Tiwari's ambitious cinematic adaptation.
During the interaction, Salman said, "I just think Ramayana ka charcha Ramayana pe hona chahiye na ki VFX and cost of production par. I think this narrative ki 4000 (budget of Ramayana) aur VFX, VFX, VFX. I just don't think ki that is correct." He further emphasised his point by adding, "I just think ki Ramayana ka charcha Ramayana ke upar hi hona chahiye – Ram, Ravana, Sita." With this statement, the actor highlighted that audiences should be more interested in the emotional and spiritual significance of the epic rather than repeatedly debating how much money has been spent bringing it to the screen. He also revealed his personal connection with the story, saying, "Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan I watched."
Salman also drew an interesting comparison between the qualities associated with Lord Ram and the central character in his upcoming film Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace. Explaining his perspective, the actor described Lord Ram as a good son, a good husband, a good father and a good warrior. He suggested that the protagonist of his film also embodies several of these qualities. The comparison offered a glimpse into how Salman views the character he is portraying and the values the film hopes to communicate. His remarks also reflected the importance of strong characterisation and moral values in stories inspired by history and cultural traditions.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part 1 is the first instalment of a two-part cinematic adaptation of the ancient Indian epic. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Anupam Kher lends his voice to Jatayu, the divine bird who plays a crucial role in attempting to rescue Sita from Ravana's abduction. The ensemble also includes Arun Govil, Lara Dutta and Rakul Preet Singh in important roles. Produced by Namit Malhotra, the ambitious project has attracted considerable attention for its scale, casting and visual presentation. The first instalment arrived in theatres worldwide on November 5, 2026.
Meanwhile, Salman also shared an update about the release plans for Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace. Explaining the repeated delays, the actor revealed that the team had initially expected to complete filming within 45 to 50 days. However, an injury to his co-star Chitrangada Singh affected the schedule, as she needed time to recover. Salman explained that the film was earlier being considered for a January or June release, before the plans shifted to August. He then stated, "Now, we will release it on December 4." The announcement gives audiences a clearer indication of the release timeline, although the makers' final official confirmation will be important following the earlier postponements.
Produced by Salma Khan under the banner of Salman Khan Films, Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace is directed by Apoorva Lakhia and features Chitrangada Singh in a pivotal role. The film was originally titled Battle of Galwan before being renamed. Inspired by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops, the project explores a significant chapter in recent Indian military history. Its journey to the big screen has attracted attention, particularly because of the subject matter and the changes to its release schedule. With Salman now discussing both his film and the much-anticipated Ramayana, his comments have brought two major cinematic projects into the spotlight. While audiences await further updates on Maatrubhumi, his message about Ramayana is straightforward: the story of Ram, Ravana and Sita deserves to remain at the centre of the conversation.