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Ranbir Kapoor will play the role of Ram in Nitish Tiwari’s Ramayana. (Photo: X)
Ramayan actor Sunil Lahri opened up about Ranbir Kapoor’s casting as Lord Ram.
Ramayan actor Sunil Lahri weighed in on Ranbir Kapoor’s casting in the new-age version of Ramayana. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ranbir will be playing the role of Lord Ram. Sunil, who played the role of Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, admitted that he is still determining if the audience would accept Ranbir as Lord Ram. Noting that his last release was Animal, he wondered out loud if people would be able to see him in an opposite role.
“From the poster, I liked his look. It’s very nice and since he’s so smart, he will look perfect in that role. But, I don’t know how much people will accept him as Ram,” Sunil Lahri told Hindustan Times, seemingly referring to the leaked photos. “I feel that you should take someone that has no image or baggage. It works better. No doubt Ranbir is a great actor with a big legacy of his family and work he has done. I’m sure he will do justice, but again, it is the perception of people that you can’t change,” he added.
Speaking about his past performances, Sunil said, “He has to crush his earlier performances and come out with this. And especially, after doing something like Animal recently, it will be very difficult for people to see him in such an opposite role as Lord Ram.”
Coincidentally, Arun Govil, who played Lord Ram in Sagar’s Ramayan, is also in the film. The actor will be seen playing the role of King Dasharatha. The film also stars Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita and KGF star Yash as Raavan. The filming had begun this summer but it was reportedly stopped last month due to a copyright infringement case.
Speaking of the decision to halt the shoot, a source told Mid-Day, “Filming continued for a few days after the notice, but has been on hold since last week. The legalities need to be sorted out, and filming will only resume after a consensus is reached on the matter.” The insider added that the filming has just been put on a halt and that the film is not shelved. The shooting is expected to resume in three weeks.
