Ramayana Makers Reveal Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi Were 'First Choice'; Say Audience Will Start Seeing Rama, Sita In Them

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Ramayana director Nitesh Tiwari, Ranbir Kapoor playing Rama and Sai Pallavi playing Sita was his first choice. Produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in association with Monster Mind Creations, Ramayana is being developed using cutting-edge visual effects and large-scale production design. The filmmakers have repeatedly emphasised that the goal is to create a cinematic experience capable of matching international fantasy epics while remaining respectful to India's cultural and spiritual heritage. At the Ramayana: Pratham Sankalp event in New Delhi on July 18, both Malhotra and Tiwari reiterated their dream.

Namit Malhotra opens up about the casting for Ramayana

The mega event saw almost the entire star cast assemble to launch the film's trailer. At the mega event, producer Namit Malhotra credited director Nitesh Tiwari for pulling a casting coup for Ramayana. "Nitesh was very clear about casting when we used to have our discussions. Ranbir and Sai were his first choice. He and I share that sentiment. We have actually got people who we have felt would be the best. And people who are for some reason not connected with us on this film have brought other people into the film who have equally done a terrific job," he said.

Nitesh Tiwari believed in Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi

Malhotra passed the mic to Tiwari and asked him to share how he managed to get Ranbir Kapoor and Sai to play Rama and Sita. The director revealed it was the two actors' honesty that pulled him towards them. "I have a strong opinion that an artist's eyes tell the truth. I could always see Lord Ram in Ranbir's eyes and Sita Maa in Sai's eyes. Apart from them being extremely gifted and talented, I just felt the kind of sincerity I was looking for and the kind of preparation I wanted the character to go through for such important roles, I could find in only these two beautiful souls. And I am so happy."

He added that the actor immersed themselves so much in their roles that he started seeing them as their characters. "I don't see Sai, I see Sita Maa, and I don't see Ranbir but Sri Ram, because I see honesty in their eyes. That's what they've tried to portray on screen, too," he shared.Ramayana also stars Yash as Ravana, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. The other cast members include Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta, Shobhana, Arun Govil, Vivek Oberoi and others.