Moti Sagar Voices Support for Ranbir Kapoor's Portrayal of Lord Ram in Upcoming Epic
The recent release of the first teaser for Nitesh Tiwari's highly anticipated film Ramayana, featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, has ignited a firestorm of debate across social media and entertainment circles. While many fans have praised the scale and ambition of the project, others have raised concerns about the visual effects and casting choices following the teaser's debut on Hanuman Jayanti.
Moti Sagar Calls for Patience and Trust in Ranbir Kapoor's Abilities
Amidst this whirlwind of mixed reactions, Moti Sagar—the son of legendary creator Ramanand Sagar and co-director of the iconic 1987 television series Ramayan—has stepped forward to offer his perspective. In an interview with PTI, Sagar emphasized that it is premature to judge the film based solely on a brief teaser.
"I expect something very good from 'Ramayana' as he (Ranbir) is one of the best actors we have today as far as performances are concerned, including getting the emotions right," Sagar stated. "He is such a class actor and has so much depth. But you cannot judge anything from this teaser."
He further elaborated on Kapoor's dedication, noting, "The actor has got so much depth in his performance. He must have gone very deep into this character. So, I would like to see the whole film and then comment. I'm expecting something very good from this film."
Addressing Comparisons Between Film and Television Formats
Moti Sagar also addressed the inevitable comparisons being drawn between the upcoming cinematic adaptation and the beloved television classic that starred Arun Govil as Lord Ram. He argued that such comparisons are inherently unfair due to the significant differences in format and runtime.
"People often overlook that our 'Ramayan' spanned 78 episodes of 30–40 minutes each, while the film will run for just three to four hours," he explained. "So, there will be a lot of differences, like we can go into a lot of details in a show."
He highlighted that the original series became a cultural phenomenon precisely because of the extensive time and narrative depth it could afford, something a feature film must condense.
Recalling Ramanand Sagar's Vision and the Making of the Original Ramayan
Reflecting on his father's legacy, Moti Sagar shared poignant insights into Ramanand Sagar's deep devotion and unwavering commitment to the epic. "My father was a devotee of Lord Ram. After making 'Vikram Betal' and 'Dada Dadi Ki Kahaniyan', he called all four of us and said that 'Ramayan' is my lifetime ambition. I've to do it, even if I've to sell my bungalow," he recounted.
"He also said he is not making the show for money... We all joined him and for those two-three years, we lived and breathed only 'Ramayan'. He made it to create awareness and moral values."
He also revealed the innovative techniques employed during production, given the technological limitations of the era. With a modest budget of approximately Rs 9 lakh per episode and no CGI available, the team relied on creative solutions.
- Incense and dhoop sticks were used to simulate fog effects.
- Cotton was utilized to create cloud visuals.
- A special effects generator machine, the SEG 2000, was employed for bow and arrow scenes.
Star-Studded Cast and Release Timeline for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana boasts an impressive ensemble cast that has generated considerable buzz:
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram
- Sai Pallavi as Sita
- Yash as Ravana
- Sunny Deol as Hanuman
- Ravie Dubey as Lakshman
In a notable connection to the past, Arun Govil—who originally portrayed Lord Ram in the 1987 series—will also appear in a pivotal role. The supporting cast includes Kunal Kapoor, Adinath Kothare, and Sheeba Chaddha, adding further depth to the production.
The film is scheduled for a grand two-part release, with the first installment slated for Diwali 2026 and the second expected to follow in Diwali 2027, promising an epic cinematic experience for audiences worldwide.
