As Ranbir Kapoor shoots for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, co-star Arun Govil says ‘no star is suitable to play Lord Ram': ‘You can find someone outside'
In a conversation with NDTV, Arun Govil said, 'Three-four people tried recreating it, but they were not successful. I don't think in our lifetime someone should try to recreate Ramayan. As far as some actor playing Ram (is concerned), all the available actors, all the stars at this moment – I don't think anyone is suitable. Maybe you can find someone outside the industry.'
Arun Govil's statement has sparked a debate online with many fans expressing concerns regarding Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana where Ranbir Kapoor will be seen in the role of Lord Ram.
ALSO READ | Suneel Darshan wanted to make Jaanwar with Sunny Deol, but replaced him with Akshay Kumar after an 'ugly' fallout: 'Those issues are still pending'
Previously, actor Prabhas played the role of Lord Ram in Om Raut's Adipurush, a retelling of Ramayana. That film, however, became a target of trolls for its poor VFC and colloquial language.
Apart from Ranbir Kapoor and Arun Govil, the film will also star Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Lara Dutta as Kaykay and KGF fame Yash as Ravana. Yash is also the co-producer of the film along with Namit Malhotra. Other actors who are expected to star in the film are Rakul Preet Singh, Anil Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan.
Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana will be released in two parts on Diwali 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
After Aanand L Rai, Varun Grover Slams AI-Powered Ending In Raanjhanaa's Re-Released Tamil Version
New Delhi: Twelve years after its original release, Aanand L Rai's Raanjhanaa is returning to theatres in Tamil Nadu as Ambikapathy on August 1, 2025. But instead of celebration, the re-release has stirred a major controversy. One that involves Artificial Intelligence, a happy ending, and what writer-lyricist Varun Grover calls a dystopian experiment wrapped in comedy. According to promotional posters, the re-release features an "AI-powered" new ending where Dhanush's character doesn't die marking a significant departure from the tragic climax that originally defined the film's emotional punch. While fans are baffled, Raanjhanaa's director Aanand L Rai is deeply disappointed. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Rai said, "Raanjhanaa didn't need a new climax. It had heart and honesty... To see its ending altered without a word of discussion is a gross violation not just of the film, but of the trust of the fans who've carried the film in their hearts for 12 years." He raised serious concerns about the ethical, legal, and creative implications of using AI to manipulate films and performances without the consent of creators or actors. Amid this heated debate, writer and Masaan co-creator Varun Grover weighed in with his signature sarcasm through a reel that is quickly gaining traction online. In the video, Grover narrates a tongue-in-cheek anecdote about how his uncle reacted to the first screening of Masaan. "The film is good," his uncle had said, "but just change the ending and it'll be a hit." Grover humorously explains how he had to offer logistical excuses to avoid such a change-claiming they didn't have enough budget, time, or actor availability. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Varun Grover (@vidushak) "But apparently," he adds with a smile, "someone else's uncle has enough to AI-edit Raanjhanaa, make it a happy ending, and re-release it. So, whoever's uncle it is, namaste to them." While the reel is laced with wit, Grover's satire speaks directly to the unease many artists feel about the growing use of AI in storytelling. The idea that a studio can override the creative intent of a film for short-term gains is what both Grover and Rai are implicitly warning against-albeit in very different tones. With the Ambikapathy AI-ending debate heating up and creators speaking out, this re-release may ultimately spark a broader conversation around consent, creativity, and control in the age of artificial intelligence.
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Varun Grover Reacts To AI-Edited Raanjhanaa Ending: 'Namaste To Whoever's Uncle Did This'
Raanjhanaa's AI-powered Tamil re-release, Ambikapathy, stirs controversy as director Aanand L Rai and writer Varun Grover criticize the altered ending. Twelve years after its original release, Aanand L Rai's Raanjhanaa is set to return to theatres in Tamil Nadu as Ambikapathy on August 1, 2025. But instead of celebration, the re-release has ignited a heated controversy—one that involves Artificial Intelligence, a reimagined climax, and what writer-lyricist Varun Grover has called a 'dystopian experiment wrapped in comedy." Promotional posters for Ambikapathy suggest that the film now features an 'AI-powered" alternate ending in which Dhanush's character does not die, deviating dramatically from the tragic conclusion that originally defined the film's emotional gravitas. While fans are left stunned by the twist, director Aanand L Rai is deeply disappointed. In a conversation with NDTV, Rai shared, 'Raanjhanaa didn't need a new climax. It had heart and honesty… To see its ending altered without a word of discussion is a gross violation not just of the film, but of the trust of the fans who've carried the film in their hearts for 12 years." He also raised serious concerns about the legal, ethical, and creative consequences of using AI to tamper with films and performances without consulting their original creators or actors. Amid the uproar, Varun Grover weighed in with biting satire in a reel that's now gaining momentum online. Recounting a conversation with his uncle after the release of Masaan, Grover said, 'The film is good," his uncle told him, 'but just change the ending and it'll be a hit." Grover then explained, tongue firmly in cheek, how he avoided making the change by citing budget and logistical constraints. 'But apparently," he added with a smirk, 'someone else's uncle has enough to AI-edit Raanjhanaa, make it a happy ending, and re-release it. So, whoever's uncle it is, namaste to them." Despite the humor, Grover's message underlines a growing unease within the creative community about the use of AI to revise narratives without the consent of their originators. The idea that a beloved story could be altered—its heartbreak replaced with convenience, its soul diluted by software—has struck a nerve. For Rai, it's not just about artistic intent, but about integrity. 'Raanjhanaa had heart," he said, 'and the ending was integral to that." As audiences await Ambikapathy's re-release, it may well become a flashpoint in a larger conversation about authorship, autonomy, and the future of cinema in the AI era. Whether the re-edit wins over viewers or not, one thing is certain—this isn't just about how a story ends, but who gets to write that ending in the first place. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Dhanush and GV Prakash jam together ahead of Idly Kadai single release. Watch
As anticipation grows for the first single from 'Idly Kadai' starring Dhanush, a video of the actor and music composer GV Prakash Kumar jamming together has gone viral. The clip, which showcases the duo's natural camaraderie and musical chemistry, has left fans quite excited just a day ahead of the single's Prakash shared the video on Instagram and wrote, 'A small jam session with my bro @dhanushkraja before the single release @wunderbarfilms @ song tomm @saregamatamil (sic).'advertisementIn the video, Dhanush is seen grooving and humming casually as GV plays the keyboard beside him. Watch the video here: 'Idly Kadai', Dhanush's fourth directorial venture, was earlier scheduled for a box office clash with Ajith Kumar's 'Good Bad Ugly'. However, the makers opted to postpone the release to Diwali 2025 to avoid competition. The film features an ensemble cast including Nithya Menen, Arun Vijay, Shalini Pandey, Prakash Raj, Sathyaraj, and Parthiban, and is backed by Dhanush's production house, Wunderbar this month, the film made headlines after a fire broke out on set in Anupapatti village, Theni district. The incident occurred shortly after the production team had moved locations. No injuries were reported, and the crew was safely evacuated. The cause of the fire is still under Dhanush was last seen in 'Kuberaa', a social thriller that featured Nagarjuna Akkineni and Rashmika Mandanna. He is also set to appear alongside Kriti Sanon in the upcoming film 'Tere Ishk Mein'.- EndsMust Watch
