Not a role, but a responsibility: Ranbir Kapoor on why Ramayana is bigger than film

Ranbir Kapoor said playing Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana feels like a responsibility rather than just a role. Arun Govil and Nitesh Tiwari underscored the weight of the part, citing faith, humility and public expectations.

In Short

• Ranbir Kapoor spoke about his experience of playing Lord Ram
• Ranbir stressed simplicity and faith were central to portraying the revered character
• He said Lord Ram's defining strength was forgiveness, not weapons or power

Actor Ranbir Kapoor has opened up about the responsibility of playing Lord Ram in filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited Ramayana. In a recently released behind-the-scenes video, the actor spoke about what the role means to him and why he sees it as far more than just another acting assignment.

For the 44-year-old actor, Lord Ram’s greatest strength was not his weapon but his ability to forgive. “Lord Rama’s biggest strength was not his bow and arrow; it was his shama (forgiving nature) – his ability to forgive. Ye role nahi hai. It’s not ki mujhe ek film offer hui hai aur role exciting hai. Ye ek zimmedaari hai (This is not a role. It’s not as if I was offered a film and the role is exciting. It’s a responsibility),” he said.

The actor also spoke about the importance of approaching the character with simplicity and faith. He said playing Lord Ram required him to constantly remind himself that the responsibility was not about proving himself worthy of the part, but about respecting the faith people have in the story.

“Everything comes down to the belief and simplicity of the individual playing Lord Rama. Every day I reminded myself that my job was not to be worthy of this role. My job was to be worthy of the faith that people place in this story,” Ranbir said.

The behind-the-scenes video also featured Arun Govil, who played Lord Ram in the iconic television series Ramayan and will now portray Dashrath in Tiwari’s film. Govil spoke about Ranbir’s casting and said the actor possesses some of the qualities he had always associated with Lord Ram.

“The way I had always imagined Lord Ram would walk, sit, speak or carry himself, Ranbir has some of those qualities. Normally, you don’t expect a superstar to come and touch your feet, but he always does it,” Govil said.

Director Nitesh Tiwari also reflected on the challenge of casting Lord Ram. He said that in India, people believe that even imbibing a small part of Lord Ram’s qualities can make someone a better human being, making the casting process particularly difficult.

Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The film is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in association with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.

Ramayana Part 1 is slated to release in theatres on November 6.

- Ends