Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor revealed that he initially turned down the opportunity to play Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, admitting that he felt he wasn’t ready to take on the role. However,
a major turning point in his personal life - becoming a father to daughter Raha Kapoor - changed his perspective.
Ranbir recently attended an event in New York alongside director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra to promote the much-anticipated mythological epic. The event took place shortly after the team unveiled the first glimpse of the film in Los Angeles.
During the conversation, the actor spoke about his initial hesitation when the role was first offered to him. "I remember when Namit offered me this part around four years ago, my instant reaction was ‘No’, I'm not fit enough, not good enough, and I won't be able to do full justice."
Ranbir went on to explain that the timing of the offer coincided with an important phase in his life, which made him reconsider the decision.
“That fear very quickly turned into gratitude because opportunities like this were needed very much in my life. I was in a period in my life where I needed to change my life and lifestyle. I became a father for the first time. I think the sweet coincidence of playing Lord Rama and becoming a father was needed for a turning point in my life."
Ranbir married actress Alia Bhatt in April 2022 after several years of dating. The couple welcomed their daughter Raha in November the same year. They introduced her to the public for the first time during a Christmas outing in 2023, much to the delight of their fans.
About Ramayana
Ramayana is one of the most awaited Indian films in recent years. The first three-minute glimpse of the film was unveiled on July 3, 2025, showcasing striking visuals, including Ranbir climbing a tree and wielding a bow and arrow.
The film features a star-studded cast with Yash playing Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol reportedly portraying Lord Hanuman. Adding to the scale of the project, acclaimed composers Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman have collaborated on the film’s music score.
Ramayana Part One is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release in October 2026 ahead of Diwali, while the second part is expected to arrive in 2027.
