Ranbir Kapoor’s much-anticipated mythological epic Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, continues to generate massive buzz ahead of its release. While fans eagerly await a glimpse of the magnum opus, spiritual leader Sadhguru has weighed in on the immense responsibility that comes with portraying Lord Ram a figure revered by millions.
Sadhguru on the Responsibility of Playing Lord Ram
In a recent conversation with producer Namit Malhotra, Sadhguru reflected on the pressure and expectations surrounding Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Ram. He acknowledged that such a role brings “unrealistic expectations” from audiences who view Ram not merely as a character but as an embodiment of divinity.
The spiritual leader, however, also highlighted the transformative potential such a role can have on the actor himself.
Sadhguru said, “If they have sense, they should become a little like Maryada Purshottam. It’s an opportunity that you get to play the role of Rama, so you’d better transform yourself. When will you do it in your life? At the same time, there will be a certain unrealistic expectation.”
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By “Maryada Purshottam,” Sadhguru referred to the ideal qualities of Lord Ram- righteousness, restraint, and compassion virtues that, he believes, could positively influence an actor’s personal growth during such a profound portrayal.
Drawing Parallels with NT Rama Rao
During the discussion, Sadhguru drew a comparison with Telugu cinema icon NT Rama Rao (NTR), who became synonymous with divine characters through his legendary performances in mythological films.
He explained, “There was NT Rama Rao in Telugu films, who people worshipped as Krishna because he played him in some 15–16 movies. They put huge cutouts of him playing the flute, and he won the election outright. At one time, it was absolutely so. To some extent, it is still there.”
Through this analogy, Sadhguru underscored the blurred line between reel and real for actors portraying sacred figures — and how audience perception often elevates them to godlike status.
Sadhguru’s Direct Advice to Ranbir Kapoor
Offering advice directly to the actor, Sadhguru remarked, “If you act like Rama in a movie, I expect you to have some gentleness. But it’s unfair to the actor because, after all, it’s a profession. He’s just acting. Hope acting like Rama brings some elements of him into the actor, which will be wonderful for him but it’s an unrealistic expectation.”
He also defended Ranbir Kapoor against recent criticism over his past roles and interviews, which some felt made him unsuitable for portraying Lord Ram.
Sadhguru clarified, “It is not a fair judgment because he acted in some way in the past. Tomorrow, in another movie, he may act as Ravana. That is a professional actor. But at the same time, your movie runs because of people, not because of actors or directors. So, their expectations cannot be completely brushed aside.”
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He concluded by suggesting that both the actor and director of Ramayana should “imbibe a bit of Ram’s quality” to do justice to the sacred story.
About Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana
Touted as one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema, Ramayana is reportedly being made on a budget of around ₹4,000 crore, making it the most expensive Indian film ever. The two-part saga features an ensemble cast including Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Vivek Oberoi, and Ravi Dubey in key roles.
Veteran actor Arun Govil, who immortalized Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s classic Ramayan, will appear as King Dasharatha in the upcoming adaptation.
The first part of Ramayana is expected to release on Diwali 2026, and anticipation continues to build as audiences await a modern retelling of India’s greatest epic with Ranbir Kapoor at its divine center.