Sunil Lahri Offers Balanced Critique of Ramayana Teaser
As excitement mounts for the upcoming cinematic adaptation of Ramayana, veteran actor Sunil Lahri—renowned for his iconic portrayal of Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar's legendary television series—has shared a nuanced perspective on the recently released teaser. Lahri expressed optimism about the film's grand scale and noble intentions but emphasized that certain emotional elements require deeper exploration to truly resonate with audiences.
Mixed Reactions to the Teaser
The teaser, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and featuring an ensemble cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, has ignited a spectrum of responses online. While many have applauded its visual grandeur, others have raised questions about the special effects and overall execution.
In an interview with PTI, Lahri remarked, "I liked and disliked certain things in the teaser. I can only wish and hope that they will make a landmark film for our country, present our culture properly and evoke the right emotions among the world audience through 'Ramayana'."
Concerns Over Ranbir Kapoor's Portrayal
Lahri acknowledged Ranbir Kapoor's considerable acting talent, praising his body of work and predicting a strong performance. However, he voiced apprehension about whether Kapoor can authentically capture the emotional essence of Lord Ram, a character deeply ingrained in Indian cultural consciousness.
"Ranbir is no doubt a very good actor, I really like his body of work and he will definitely perform very well. But will the audience accept him as Ram or not is the question," Lahri stated.
He pointed to a specific moment in the teaser that fell short for him: "The scene where Ranbir steps out in the light, the innocence that the first appearance should have had, it was not there. I didn't like that, I felt it was a little harsh, the innocence was missing."
The Crucial Role of Emotional Depth
While Lahri commended the film's visuals, musical score, and overall scale, he underscored that emotional depth is paramount for a narrative as profound as the Ramayana. He drew a poignant analogy, noting that "without emotion, even a beautiful painting feels incomplete."
"If there is no emotion, then the painting is not good. The look of Ranbir was good, the music was also good, the effects created were good... overall effects were good. I hope they don’t do blunders. If they think they want to show themselves differently, and do something where people will say, 'wow', then should understand that wow factor (referring to visuals) doesn't work here, it works in science fiction films," he elaborated.
Critique of Demon Depictions
The seasoned actor also expressed disappointment with the portrayal of demons in the teaser, describing them as overly stylized and reminiscent of Hollywood science fiction films. Reflecting on his own experience filming the original Ramayan series, Lahri highlighted the authenticity and tangible reality of their production.
"What we made was very basic. Although, the effects were not that strong but it was close to reality. Look at the costumes, the crowns were made of solid brass, they were heavy," he recalled, adding, "There was no AC, there was no vanity, it used to feel like you are working in 200-degree temperature because the costumes and the accessories were so heavy."
Film Details and Release
Ramayana is envisioned as a two-part live-action epic set 5,000 years ago, drawing from one of Indian mythology's most enduring stories. The production is a collaboration between Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and DNEG, in association with Yash's Monster Mind Creations. The film is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release, promising to be a significant cinematic event.
