Ranbir Kapoor REFUSED Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana Before Saying Yes To Director Nitesh Tiwari - Here’s Why

When

the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama in Ramayana dropped, it instantly became one of the most talked-about reveals in recent times. The ambitious two-part saga, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is making headlines everywhere after its glimpse was released on April 2, Hanuman Jayanti. With a stellar cast including Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Hanuman, the film has already generated immense anticipation ahead of its Diwali release. However, what surprised many fans is that Ranbir initially turned down the role.

Ranbir Kapoor said no to Namit Malhotra but...

In a conversation with Collider, Ranbir Kapoor revealed that his first instinct was to refuse the offer when producer Namit Malhotra approached him. According to the actor, Namit did not narrate the script at the time and simply asked how he felt about playing Lord Rama. This unexpected pitch left Ranbir overwhelmed. He admitted that fear played a major role in his reaction, as he felt he was not “fit enough” to portray such a revered and culturally significant figure. The actor had also said the same thing while promoting the film in the US.

The hesitation stemmed from the immense responsibility associated with the character of Maryada Purushottam. Lord Rama is a deeply respected symbol of virtue, duty, and righteousness in our culture. It demanded spiritual understanding and a strong sense of accountability. Things began to change when Namit Malhotra gradually walked Ranbir through his vision for the film. As the scale and intent of the project became clearer, the actor started to reconsider his decision. The turning point, however, came when he met director Nitesh Tiwari. Unlike the initial pitch, Tiwari gave a detailed narration of the story, helping Ranbir connect with the material on a deeper level. Ranbir shared, "I could not thank my stars that I was in the right place at the right time." The opportunity to portray Lord Rama, he said, felt almost surreal and the actor added, "I still have to pinch myself to understand that I am playing Lord Rama, and that's something which is probably a big turning point in my life and career."

Playing Lord Rama is a 'responsibility'

The actor also stressed the fact that playing Rama is not about “acting” in the conventional sense. Instead, he sees it as representing a timeless figure through his own interpretation, calling it "responsibility." He acknowledged the weight of expectations from audiences and the importance of approaching the role with faith and respect. Ranbir stated, "The responsibility, the intention, the faith, and the belief that I have as an actor, I have as an Indian, towards this story, towards Lord Rama, I think that's where it all begins."With the film set to release its first part this Diwali, excitement is increasing every day. While a section of the audience is iffy about the VFX of the Rs 4,000 crore film, others are hopeful that Ramayana will be a global spectacle.