Ranbir Kapoor Tells Arun Govil ‘We Love You Like Our Own’; Sai Pallavi Says Sita ‘Chose’ Her

Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi spoke with unusual candour about carrying the responsibility of playing Ram and Sita at the Ramayana: Pratham Sankalp event in New Delhi on Saturday. The gathering at Bharat Mandapam marked a major step in the promotional campaign for Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part screen adaptation of the epic.

Ranbir used the occasion to address Arun Govil, whose portrayal of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s television series remains deeply embedded in popular memory. Instead of treating Govil’s performance as something he must compete with, Ranbir acknowledged it as one of the foundations on which his own understanding of the character rests.

Sai, meanwhile, described playing Sita as an experience that could not be pursued like a conventional

film role. She said she believed the character had come looking for her rather than the other way around.

Ranbir Kapoor Pays Tribute To Arun Govil

Speaking directly to Govil, Ranbir said the veteran actor had carried the responsibility associated with Lord Ram for decades without ever diminishing its dignity.

“Arun ji, you have represented this responsibility for so many years with such beauty, truth and dignity,” Ranbir said.

He added that Govil’s journey had influenced far more than actors attempting to portray mythological figures. For generations of viewers who grew up with Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, Govil’s face became inseparable from their visual memory of Ram.

“Your journey has inspired not only an actor like me, but every person who watched Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan. You gave people faith and inspiration,” he said.

Ranbir admitted that his own performance would feel worthwhile if he could absorb even a part of what Govil had brought to the role.

“The way you allowed Lord Shri Ram to become a part of you, if I can achieve even a fraction of that, I will feel that all my hard work has borne fruit,” he said.

‘I Grew Up With Your Face In My Heart’

Ranbir’s remarks became increasingly personal as he spoke about growing up with the teachings associated with Ram and Govil’s image in the television series.

“Since childhood, I have grown up carrying Shri Ram’s blessings, his teachings and your face in my heart,” he told the actor.

He concluded his tribute by saying, “We love you like you are one of our own. Thank you for everything, sir.”

Govil is also part of Nitesh Tiwari’s film, but he will appear in a different role this time. After portraying Ram in the 1987 television adaptation, he plays King Dasharath, Ram’s father, in the new movie.

The casting places Govil and Ranbir within the same cinematic retelling, connecting two generations of actors entrusted with portraying the same revered figure.

Sai Pallavi Says She Did Not ‘Choose’ Sita

Sai began her address by apologising in advance for any mistakes she might make while speaking in Hindi. She then switched between Hindi and English while discussing what it meant to be selected for Sita.

“Roles like this do not come to you easily,” she said. “When you are playing someone who is worshipped as God, it cannot be treated like ordinary work.”

Sai said a project of this nature required every department to invest itself fully because its impact would extend beyond its theatrical run. According to her, a cinematic representation of the epic could become a reference point for audiences unfamiliar with the text as well as future generations revisiting it.

“A team has to put its heart and soul into creating the best possible interpretation of the text and presenting it to the world,” she said. “It becomes history. People across the world may look at it now, and they may return to it in the future.”

She thanked the makers for trusting her with the part but insisted that she never regarded it as a role she had won through ambition.

“When it comes to playing Sita Ma, I do not think I chose this role. I believe I was chosen to play it,” Sai said.

Sai Pallavi Reveals How She Prepared For Sita

The actor explained that she could not approach Sita by simply listing performance choices or constructing the character through conventional preparation.

“This is not something you can chase, nor is it something you can write down on a piece of paper and decide how to play,” she said.

Sai revealed that meditation became an important part of her process. Rather than deciding how Sita should speak, move or respond, she tried to quieten her own instincts and remain open to the character.

“I would sit in meditation and say, ‘Sita Ma, you guide me. Whatever comes through me should be what you want for this film,’” she recalled.

She also tried to protect her mental space during filming. “I kept myself as pure as I possibly could, at least in my thoughts. I tried to remain neutral so that the best version of me could be present for the character,” she said.

Sai added that the attempt itself changed her. “Through this process, I felt that I learnt a great deal,” she said.

‘An Important Day For All Of Us’

Sai described the Delhi event as a significant moment not only for the actors but also for those who had spent years developing the film before the cast stepped onto the set.

“I may have worked on the film for around three years, but the people behind it have lived with this project for much longer,” she said. “That is why today is important for all of us.”

Calling herself “elated and humbled”, she thanked those present for sharing the occasion with the team.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in association with Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, Ramayana stars Ranbir as Ram, Sai as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. The production is being filmed for IMAX, with Part One scheduled for Diwali 2026 and Part Two for Diwali 2027.

Its official trailer is set to premiere globally on July 24.