Arun Govil Endorses Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram in Ramayana
Veteran actor Arun Govil, renowned for his iconic portrayal of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's classic television series Ramayan, has publicly endorsed Ranbir Kapoor for the lead role in the upcoming cinematic adaptation of the Hindu epic, Ramayana. In a recent interview, Govil praised Kapoor, emphasizing that to convincingly play a god on screen, one must be both a good actor and a good human being.
Govil's Praise for Ranbir Kapoor and the Ramayana Team
Speaking on the sidelines of a FWICE and Cine Artiste Welfare Trust event held last week, Govil expressed his admiration for the upcoming film directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for his work on Dangal. He highlighted the dedication and hard work put in by Tiwari, the actors, and the entire production team. "The Ramayana by Nitesh Tiwari looks very good. It has been made with a lot of hard work by Nitesh Tiwari, the actors and the entire team. The main actor Ranbir Kapoor is looking very good as Lord Ram. He is a good actor and good human being," Govil stated.
He further elaborated on the qualities required for such a divine role, saying, "To play a God, you've to have a good, pure soul, and you have to be a good human being also." Govil, who is set to play King Dasharatha, Lord Ram's father, in the film, shared his positive experiences working with the unit, noting that he completed his portions some time ago and found the collaboration rewarding.
Comparisons and the Importance of Look
Govil acknowledged that comparisons between different adaptations of Ramayana are inevitable, especially given the lasting impact of Ramanand Sagar's version, which also starred Deepika Chikhalia as Sita, Sunil Lahri as Laxman, and Dara Singh as Hanuman. He remarked, "Comparisons are always made when a standard is set and no one should feel bad that I'm being compared. I believe that in order to play the role of God, you should look like that. The look is very important. When people see you, they should see God in you, and think, 'God can be like that'."
In this context, he dismissed any parallels between Tiwari's Ramayana and the 2022 film Adipurush, starring Prabhas, which faced criticism for its portrayal of iconic characters and visual effects. "There is a lot of difference between Ramayana and Adipurush," Govil asserted, emphasizing the distinct nature of the two projects.
Star-Studded Cast and Production Details
The ambitious cinematic event features a stellar ensemble cast, including:
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram
- Yash, known from the KGF series, as Ravana
- Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita
- Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman
- Ravie Dubey as Lord Lakshman
Produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and DNEG, in association with Yash's Monster Mind Creations, the film is a two-part live-action saga set 5,000 years ago, deeply rooted in Indian mythology. The first part is scheduled for a worldwide IMAX release during Diwali 2026, with the second part following in Diwali 2027.
Govil's endorsement adds significant credibility to the project, as his portrayal of Lord Ram remains etched in the hearts of millions. His insights highlight the blend of artistic merit and personal integrity required for such revered roles, setting high expectations for this new adaptation of the timeless epic.
