Mukesh Khanna has voiced his concerns regarding Ranbir Kapoor's portrayal of Lord Ram in an upcoming adaptation of the Ramayana. In a recent interview, Mukesh articulated his apprehensions that the unfavourable reception of Ranbir's recent successful film, Animal, could potentially affect the ambitious nature of this project.

Mukesh Khanna's statements were as follows.

In a recent interview with Midday, the actor initially refrained from commenting on Ranbir's involvement in the role. He expressed apprehensions regarding Ranbir's ability to separate his real-life persona from the character.

"I prefer not to discuss this matter; if I do, I will be accused of commenting on everyone and everything. My reputation has suffered as a result. I recently made remarks about Jackie Shroff’s son… I am not impolite, but I do express my opinions. If a Ramayana is being produced, comparisons with Arun Govil are unavoidable," he stated, referencing the actor known for his portrayal of Ram in the acclaimed television series.

Mukesh noted that Arun Govil’s performance has set a benchmark, asserting that anyone cast as Ram "should not resemble Raavan." In what appeared to be a subtle critique of Ranbir Kapoor, Mukesh remarked that if an individual is perceived as a "lampat chhichhora" (lewd hooligan) in real life, it will inevitably reflect on their performance, emphasizing that a person portraying Ram should refrain from partying and drinking.

Using Prabhas's experience in Adipurush as a cautionary tale, Mukesh remarked, "He was not embraced by the audience, despite his stardom. This was not due to a lack of acting ability, but rather because he did not embody the image of Ram… The actor currently portraying Ram represents the Kapoor family. He is a talented performer… However, I will scrutinize his appearance, and he must resemble Ram. He has just completed Animal, where his darker traits were accentuated. I hope this does not affect his portrayal."

About Ramayana film

In the upcoming film, it is anticipated that Sai Pallavi will portray Sita in the adaptation of the Ramayana. Yash has confirmed his role as Ravana, while Lara Dutta will take on the character of Kaikeyi. Sunny Deol is set to play Hanuman, and Sheeba Chaddha will be featured as Manthara. Earlier this year, a leaked image from the film's set, showcasing Ranbir and Sai in their costumes, gained significant attention on social media.

This highly awaited cinematic project will be directed by Nitesh Tiwari and will be released in two installments. Ramayana Part One is scheduled to premiere in 2026, followed by Part Two in 2027.

In an interview with Deadline, Ranbir discussed his experience of portraying Lord Ram for the first time. He mentioned that he has completed filming for the first part and will soon begin work on the second part.

“I am currently engaged in a project titled Ramayan, which is regarded as India's greatest narrative. It is being produced by Namit Malhotra and features a diverse array of artists, creators, and crew members from across the globe. The story unfolds over two parts, focusing on Lord Ram and Raavan. It is a remarkable opportunity for me as an actor to present this timeless tale to a new generation, utilizing the advanced technology available today. I find it both exciting and fulfilling to take on the role of Lord Ram,” Ranbir stated.

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