Why is Ranbir Kapoor's casting as Lord Rama in Ramayana making people unhappy?
A significant point of contention stems from old interview where Kapoor mentioned his fondness for beef, leading to criticism from certain quarters who question the appropriateness of his casting as a deity in Hindu mythology. This debate underscores the sensitivities involved in representing religious figures on screen. What Mukesh Khanna Said On The Casting Of Ranbir Kapoor?
Adding to the discourse, veteran actor Mukesh Khanna voiced his concerns, emphasizing that an actor embodying Lord Rama should reflect the character's virtues both on and off-screen. He remarked that any incongruity between an actor's real-life persona and the sanctity of the role could impact audience perception. How Mukesh Chhabra Defended Ranbir Kapoor's Casting
Despite the controversies, casting director Mukesh Chhabra defended the choice, highlighting Kapoor's inherent innocence and calm demeanor as aligning with the essence of Lord Rama. Chhabra believes that Kapoor's emotional depth and screen presence make him a compelling fit for the role, which also shows his acting range and assures that Ranbir will be setting a bar for everyone. More About Ramayana
The film boasts star-studded cast, including Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Arun Govil, best known for his portrayal of Lord Rama in the 1987 TV series, taking on the role of Raja Dasharath. This blend of seasoned actors and fresh faces aims to bring a nuanced retelling of the classic epic.
Set to release in two parts, with first installment slated for Diwali 2026, Namit Malhotra's ambitious 'Ramayana' promises grand cinematic experience. The film's high production values, combined with its ambitious storytelling and music grandeur, position it as one of most anticipated and biggest projects in Indian cinema.
Despite its release in the next year, it will be excited to see how audiences will receive this modern adaptation of a timeless tale, and whether Kapoor's portrayal will resonate with the reverence associated with 'Maryada Purushottam' Lord Rama or not.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Grief & tributes pour in over theatre maestro Thiyam's death
1 2 Guwahati: The death of renowned theatre maestro Ratan Thiyam plunged the nation into mourning, with an outpouring of grief and tributes from political leaders, cultural figures, and theatre communities across India. Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and former chief minister N Biren Singh led the the tributes from Manipur, highlighting his significant contributions to India's cultural landscape. In a statement, the Manipur govt said, "With profound grief and deep sorrow, we mourn the passing of Padma Shri recipient and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Ratan Thiyam — a towering figure in Indian theatre and a cultural icon of Manipur. We join the artistic fraternity and the nation in remembering his extraordinary legacy." The Manipur Raj Bhavan said on X, "The Governor stated that his invaluable contribution to Manipuri theatre and culture will always be remembered. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and admirers. " Singh, in a post on X, wrote, "It is with deep sorrow that I express my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Ratan Thiyam, a true luminary of Indian theatre and an esteemed son of Manipur. His unwavering dedication to his craft, his vision, and his love for Manipuri culture enriched not only the world of theatre but also our very identity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo His work carried the soul of Manipur — echoing its stories, its struggles, and its beauty. " Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called him "a leading light of the Theatre of Roots movement," saying, "Shri Ratan Thiyam dedicated his life to bring indigenous theatre and art practices to the global stage. A Padma awardee, his productions were rich in talent and messaging." Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma said: "He was a visionary who redefined Indian theatre by blending contemporary form with the cultural soul of Manipur. His legacy will continue to inspire." West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee mourned him as "a true legend who put Manipuri theatre on the global map" and said, "His unique blend of tradition and experiment enriched Indian performing arts immensely and resonated worldwide." Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, also expressed his grief, saying, "Thiyam's legacy will continue to inspire generations to come." Renowned Kolkata-based theatre veterans like Rudra Prasad Sengupta and Kaushik Sen also paid tribute, recalling Thiyam's frequent presence at theatre festivals in the city and his powerful influence on modern Indian theatre. Ratan Thiyam was a trailblazer of the "Theatre of Roots" movement, which synthesised Indian classical, folk, and tribal performance forms with contemporary theatrical expression. He founded the Chorus Repertory Theatre in Imphal in 1976, which became a national and international symbol of rooted yet experimental theatre. His groundbreaking works like Chakravyuha, Urubhangam, Uttar Priyadarshi, and Lengshonnei challenged the boundaries of traditional Indian theatre and brought the richness of Manipuri aesthetics, spirituality, and politics to the global stage. He was the recipient of many prestigious awards, including Padma Shri (1989) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987). He relinquished the Padma Shri in 2001 in protest against the Centre's decision to extend the ceasefire with the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland. Ratan Thiyam's passing is not only a great loss for Manipur, which he deeply loved and represented through his art, but also for the entire nation and the global theatre community. His relentless pursuit of truth, his seamless weaving of text and tradition, and his unmatched visual poetics have etched his name into the canon of world theatre.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
'If someone is...': What Smriti Irani said on Bollywood's 'silence' on Op Sindoor
Former Union Minister Smriti Irani has advised people to "not watch" actors if they are offended at their "lack of support" to Operation Sindoor, India's military operation against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and POK, launched on May 7. BJP leader Smriti Irani (ANI) In a TV interview, the politician was asked about chatter around Bollywood's muffled response to the operation that India launched a fortnight after 26 civilians were killed in a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. 'If someone is not with the country, and their lack of support offends you, then don't watch them,' she was quoted as saying by an India Today report. 'How can you express your anger (against their silence) as an ordinary citizen? By tunning off," the publication further quoted Irani. The former MP also asserted that if an actor did not support the Army, it did not mean that no one else did. She said the entire country stood with its forces. She also said that India no longer waits for an actor to break silence on an issue and say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'. "The country has been made aware of these realities," she asserted. Her interview came ahead of her return to television screens again after years in the reboot of popular show 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', in which she will be playing the character of Tulsi Virani. Smriti Irani's remarks came over two months after India and Pakistan got engaged in a military conflict, triggered by Pakistan's targeting of air bases in India. The Indian armed forces said that Pakistan incurred heavy losses, with significant damage to its military infrastructure, including land and air assets. While some actors did heap praise on Operation Sindoor, there was chatter online that Bollywood remained largely silent on the issue, or gave a delayed reaction.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
'Beta ji, kitne bade ho gaye': UK musician's desi childhood memories in India win hearts
In a heartfelt video, a London-based musician opened up about what it was like growing up in India as a white woman. Raised in Jodhpur before moving to the UK, Bianca Nieddu describes her childhood as a blend of warmth, community, and "so many festivals." Bianca Nieddu said that she was raised as an insider in the Indian community. (Instagram/ biancanieddu ) Speaking about the things she missed about living in India, Nieddu said that she was raised as an insider in the Indian community. 'I didn't grow up on individualism. I grew up with aunties who brought us food when we were sick, neighbours who knew everything about our business, and people inviting us for dinner, and then they just fed us all their food," she said. As a white girl growing up in a desi community, Nieddu also stood out when she repeated common Indian phrases in perfect Hindi. She spoke about missing speaking fluent Hindi with flair, including the art of hand gestures during conversation. "Yaar, aaj kya kar rahe ho? Hai, dekho, dekho, dekho, kya kar rahe ho? Beta ji, wow, kitne bade ho gaya aap," she quipped, mimicking aunties from her childhood. 'Festivals. There are always festivals. I remember in school, we would have so many holidays because there was just this festival and that festival," she remembered. The video drew an outpouring of love and amused recognition from Indians around the world. "This is so wild to see as an Indian dude who was born and raised outside Philadelphia. The world has infinite perspectives," said one user. "Hahaha, girl, you're adorable! I'm Anglo Indian and totally get what you're saying," another user added. A third user said, "Girl, you are Indian as someone born and brought up in India, you are spot on with the culture and language and accent." Love this! Really! As an Indian married to a German, I can only dream of my husband speaking Hindi like this. Guess I need us to go back in time and have his parents move to India
