Arun Govil, renowned for his portrayal of Rama in the 1987 television series Ramayan by Ramanand Sagar, has expressed his support for Ranbir Kapoor, who is set to take on the role of Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s forthcoming two-part film adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana. In a surprising twist, Govil will be seen playing King Dasharatha, Rama’s father, in the initial installment of the film.
In a recent featurette released to celebrate Ranbir Kapoor’s birthday on Monday, Govil remarked, “The qualities I envisioned in Rama—his manner of walking and sitting—are reflected in Ranbir. It’s uncommon for a star to show such humility, yet he consistently does.” He further stated, “Among the current generation of young actors, Ranbir embodies the essence of Rama most closely.”
In response, Ranbir praised Govil, labeling him as “the iconic Lord Rama for all of us.” He shared an impactful insight from Govil that struck a chord with him as he prepares for the role: “Rama’s greatest strength was not his bow, but his ability to forgive.” Ranbir emphasized that the portrayal of Rama hinges on the “simplicity” of the actor taking on this revered character.
Namit Malhotra, co-producer of Ramayana, admitted that when he envisioned the project, Ranbir’s face was the only one that came to mind due to its innate simplicity. He noted that there was no disagreement between him and director Nitesh Tiwari regarding the casting. “If someone can embody even 1% of Rama’s virtues, they are destined to be a remarkable person. The essence of Rama is so profound that casting him is a formidable challenge,” Tiwari explained. However, he acknowledged that upon Malhotra’s suggestion of Ranbir, he recognized that the actor fit the role perfectly.
Ranbir’s co-stars in Ramayana also expressed their approval. Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita, shared that she had a specific image of Rama from her childhood and remarked, “In an instant, I saw the Rama I envisioned as a child, and I was mesmerized.” Ravi Dubey, who portrays Lakshman, Rama’s devoted younger brother, noted that he often sees the same simplicity in Ranbir’s eyes that he associates with Rama.
With the weight of expectations on his shoulders, Ranbir acknowledged that the role of Rama transcends mere excitement; it is a “responsibility” for him. “As I worked on this epic, I recognized how Namit merged the best elements from both Eastern and Western influences to convey the essence of the Ramayana,” he stated.
The Ramayana project not only brings together India’s AR Rahman and German Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, but it also features a talented team of internationally recognized technicians, including action directors Terry Notary (from the Planet of the Apes series) and Guy Norris (from the Mad Max series). “Every day, I reminded myself that my duty was not just to live up to this role, but to honor the trust that people have placed in this story,” Ranbir concluded.
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