Ramanand Sagar’s grandson and filmmaker Shiv Sagar has expressed doubts about Ranbir Kapoor playing Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming ‘Ramayana’.
Speaking to ANI, Shiv said he liked most of the casting but felt Ranbir’s role in ‘Animal’ made it difficult for him to see the actor as Ram. He said he personally felt that a new face would have been a better choice for the role.
Shiv Sagar is a TV producer.
He further added, “You can take a very strong supporting cast. Yash is looking very good and Sai Pallavi is also looking very good. Both of them do not carry the baggage of previous roles. There is a lot of baggage with Ranbir. That is why we usually cast new faces in our serials, so that they do not have any previous image or history.”
Questions Ranbir’s casting as Ram
Shiv Sagar said Ranbir Kapoor’s casting may have helped the film’s marketing, but he personally feels a new face would have suited the role better. He questioned whether audiences would accept Ranbir in a character like ‘Animal’ after seeing him as Ram, especially because people have strong emotional and religious feelings towards Ramayana.
Calls Ramayana India’s history
Shiv said that while the West may view Ramayana as mythology, Indians consider it part of their history. He added that Ram is worshipped by people every day and holds a deep place in Indian culture.
Also unhappy with some costumes
Apart from the casting, Shiv also expressed disappointment with some of the film’s costumes and casting choices. He said the final verdict would come from the audience, but he felt some aspects could have been better.
Lara Dutta’s attire as Kaikeyi in the film is facing heavy criticism.
Shiv Sagar’s opinion is also significant because his grandfather, Ramanand Sagar, created the highly popular TV serial ‘Ramayan’.
Shiv Sagar praised the casting of Sai Pallavi and Yash and said that despite the objections, the audience’s reaction to the film’s casting and creative decisions will be the most important factor.
‘Ramayana: Part 1’ is a two-part film being directed by Nitesh Tiwari. It is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 6, 2026.
Ramayana is facing constant criticism
Controversy over casting: Ranbir Kapoor, who was involved in a beef controversy, has been facing criticism for a long time for being cast as Lord Shri Ram in Ramayana. Apart from this, there is also a controversy over Sai Pallavi, who does not speak Hindi fluently, being cast as Sita. Memes are being made on Rakul Preet Singh’s ‘glamorous look’ as Shurpanakha.
Questions raised on the star cast’s attire in the trailer: After the release of the film’s trailer, questions are being raised about the attire of Lara Dutta, who is playing the character of Kaikeyi. Fans believe that Lara Dutta looks like a daughter-in-law from a modern daily soap in the film.
Criticism of the film’s VFX and budget: After the trailer launch, the film’s graphics were being criticized. In response, Ranbir Kapoor clarified that people are judging the visual effects by watching the trailer on smartphones and poor internet connections. The makers have urged the audience to watch the film in IMAX 3D.
Ramlila Mahasangh raises concerns over ‘Ramayana’
The Shri Ramlila Mahasangh has written to director Nitesh Tiwari and the film’s production company, seeking a screening for its delegation before the film’s Diwali release in India and overseas.
The Mahasangh’s president, Arjun Kumar, said they have received information about scenes that could hurt Hindu sentiments. He warned that protests could be held outside theatres if such scenes are not removed.
Cites ‘Adipurush’ as an example
The letter also refers to ‘Adipurush’, which faced strong protests from the Sanatan community and Ramlila groups over its portrayal of characters and Lanka. The Mahasangh said the controversy affected the film’s reception and cited it as a warning for the makers of ‘Ramayana’.
