Amid Criticism, Ramayana Director Nitesh Tiwari Explains Why Ranbir Kapoor Is The Perfect Rama

One of the most anticipated Hindi films of 2026, Ramayana Part 1 led by Ranbir Kapoor, releases at Diwali 2026. After an exciting event offering the first glimpse of Ramayana in Los Angeles, the lead actor-Ranbir Kapoor-along with director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra headed to New York City for a second screening. It was here that Nitesh Tiwari spoke about why no one could have been a better choice for the role of Lord Ram than Ranbir Kapoor.

What's Happening

• In the video going viral now, Nitesh Tiwari spoke about why he trusted Ranbir Kapoor to do justice to the role of Lord Ram and bring it to life on the big screen.
• Nitesh Tiwari said, "Lord Ram was a man of few words. His love was unbound. His pain could not be seen but it could be felt. His courage needed a lot of physicality. This role was really demanding and so we felt that there was nobody better than Ranbir Kapoor to portray all these things and manage the expectations of a billion people."
• Explaining the reason behind his attempt to modernise an epic like Ramayana, Nitesh Tiwari said, "I would not say that we made a conscious effort to make it into a modern tale or something. The essence of 'Ramayana' lies in the values which it holds. Those values are universal and timeless. I do not need to modernise it anyway."
• "What has happened is the world has forgotten those values; it's time we remind them and maybe a film like this will make the world a better place," concluded Nitesh Tiwari.

Early Criticism

There have been a lot of criticsm around Ranbir Kapoor being cast as Lord Rama in Ramayana due to some old interviews and the way the character is being portrayed as seen in the first look of the film.

A 2011 interview of Ranbir Kapoor had gone viral where he had called himself a "big beef eater", audience felt that made him inapprorpraite to play the role of a Hindu deity.

Mukesh Khanna, who essayed the character of Bhishma Pitamah in BR Chopra's iconic television series Mahabharat and the titular superhero in Shaktimaan, has raised doubts about Ranbir Kapoor's portrayal of Lord Ram in Ramayana: Part I whose first glimpse was released just last month.

In an interview with Galatta India, Mukesh Khanna said he was about to share a reaction video to the Ramayana: Part I teaser where Ranbir Kapoor's Lord Ram is seen climbing trees and shooting arrows, when his team told him that "it was AI-generated and not real".

He said, "Chhed-chhaad karoge toh phansoge. Aap Ram ko yoddha bata rahe ho, woh Maryada Purushottam the (If you tease or provoke, you'll get into trouble. You are calling Ram a warrior, but he was Maryada Purushottam - the ideal man). They're showing Lord Ram climbing trees and shooting arrows. Krishna or Arjun can do that, but Ram wouldn't do it. If Ram proclaimed himself as a warrior, he would never ask monkeys to help him. He was enough, one man against Ravan."

Mukesh Khanna sounding sceptical about Ranbir Kapoor playing the role of Lord Ram. He said, "From what I can see, I don't know if Ranbir Kapoor can pull off the Maryada Purushottam image of Ram. He's a good actor, but he has an image chasing him - and that's Animal. I don't have an objection to it. He could do it. But I think agar aapne Ram ko yodha bataya, toh log accept nahin kar paayenge. Iske upar gadbad ho sakti hai (If you show Lord Rama as a warrior, then people will not accept it. This can create a problem)."

Mukesh Khanna also shared that he was asked to comment on Ranbir Kapoor's casting as Lord Ram in the film despite his previous confession about being a beef eater. The veteran actor, however, refused express his opinion and said maybe the Barfi star has quit eating beef.

Ranbir Kapoor On His Character Lord Ram

In another viral clip from the Los Angeles event held before the Ramayana team headed to New York, Ranbir Kapoor passionately introduced his character Lord Ram to the audience.

"Lord Rama has been the conscience keeper of billions of people around the globe for centuries and long after. He will continue being so long after we have gone. He enlightens us about the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversities. He stands for compassion, courage, righteousness, and forgiveness. He is called Maryada Purushottam, which stands for the ideal man," the actor says in the clip.

First Look Update

On March 27, which marked Ram Navami, the makers of Ramayana announced that they would release the first look of Ranbir Kapoor as Rama on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.

Making the special announcement on the auspicious day of Ram Navami, Namit wrote, "Shubh Rama Navami. This is a story that belongs to all of us, and every step we take has been guided by a deep sense of responsibility, devotion, and care to bring our very own Ramayana to life in its truest spirit and scale with utmost sincerity."

The producer added, "We look forward to sharing the next glimpse, 'Rama', on 2nd April, on the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, as we begin to showcase all these years of our effort through a grand launch with fans to celebrate this moment across the world. Thank you for your love, faith, and patience."

About Ramayana

Alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Ramayana boasts a star-studded cast with Yash stepping into the role of Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, Sunny Deol portraying Lord Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lord Lakshman.

On the technical front, the project brings together global heavyweights, including Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman. The action is helmed by Mad Max: Fury Road stunt director Guy Norris, with performance capture expert Terry Notary-known for his work on the Avengers films-also on board.

The epic is planned as a two-part cinematic spectacle, with releases slated for Diwali 2026 and 2027, respectively.

ALSO READ | First Review Of Ramayana Trailer: 'Ranbir Kapoor Truly Immersed Himself In Nitesh Tiwari's Powerful Epic'