The buzz surrounding Ranbir Kapoor playing Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana has sparked various opinions, especially after the teaser of the film was unveiled in July 2025. The initial glimpse of the film has generated a lot of excitement, but Mukesh Khanna, known for his iconic role as Bhishma Pitamah in the legendary TV series Mahabharat, has raised some concerns about Kapoor's ability to portray Lord Rama in a manner that respects his revered image as the Maryada Purushottam.
Khanna, also famous for his portrayal of Shaktiman, voiced his reservations about Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Rama, particularly in the first glimpse shown in the teaser. The teaser, which showed Ranbir Kapoor climbing trees and shooting arrows, did not sit well with Khanna, who argued that such depictions may misrepresent Lord Rama’s character.
Khanna elaborated, saying, "You are showing Ram as a warrior, but he was the Maryada Purushottam, the ideal man. Krishna or Arjuna might do that, but Rama would not. If Rama declared himself a warrior, he would never have sought the help of monkeys. He was sufficient, one man against Ravana."
The veteran actor expressed his discomfort with depicting Lord Rama as a warrior, a concept that could be controversial for traditionalists. According to Khanna, Lord Rama’s defining quality was his adharmic nature and his role as an ideal man. The action-focused imagery in the teaser, according to Khanna, could present a version of Rama that is too militaristic, which might be hard for fans and devotees to accept, especially considering the sacred and revered nature of the character in Hindu mythology.
Khanna also questioned whether Ranbir Kapoor, who is currently known for his roles in films like Animal, could embody the persona of Maryada Purushottam, a character that is held in deep reverence by millions. While he acknowledged Kapoor’s acting talent, he was uncertain if Kapoor could shed his more modern, edgy image to authentically portray Lord Rama, a figure deeply associated with idealism, duty, and restraint.
Despite the concerns raised by Khanna, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana has drawn attention due to its star-studded cast and highly anticipated visual effects. The film, which will be released in two parts one during Diwali 2026 and the second during Diwali 2027 also stars Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravie Subey as Lakshman, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, and Yash as Ravana.
The teaser, which featured Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Yash as Ravana, received praise for its impressive VFX, with many fans claiming that it was far superior to Om Raut’s Adipurush in terms of visual quality.
Khanna’s critique of the Ramayana teaser has sparked a wider conversation about the portrayal of mythological characters in modern cinema. As a veteran actor with significant experience in portraying revered figures, Khanna's opinion carries weight among traditionalists and fans of mythology. His concerns about maintaining the integrity of Lord Rama’s image resonate with many who fear that contemporary interpretations may dilute the sacredness of these figures.
On the professional front, Mukesh Khanna has made his debut in Gujarati cinema with the film Vishwaguru, released on August 1, 2025. Additionally, he is set to reprise his iconic role as Shaktiman in an upcoming audio series produced by his company, Bheeshma International.
