Ranbir Kapoor’s Bold Leap in 'Ramayana': The Role That Could Redefine His Legacy

In the ever-evolving landscape of Bollywood, very few roles carry the kind of cultural weight and cinematic risk as portraying Lord Ram in a big-budget adaptation of the Ramayana. Ranbir Kapoor, one of the most versatile and enigmatic actors of his generation, has stepped into this colossal challenge—and early glimpses suggest this could be his most transformative role yet.

As director *Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana readies itself for a 2025 release, industry insiders, fans, and critics are already labeling it as “India’s answer to Hollywood’s mythological epics.” But the real spotlight is on Kapoor, whose intense physical and emotional preparation is sparking serious conversations about whether this might be his career-defining performance.

From Rockstar to Ram: A Journey of Artistic Rebirth

Ranbir Kapoor has built his career on a diverse portfolio—from the charming boy-next-door in Wake Up Sid to the emotionally complex Jordan in Rockstar and the larger-than-life Sanjay Dutt in Sanju. Yet Ramayana appears to be pushing the actor into unexplored territory: stoicism, spiritual gravitas, and moral purity—qualities that define Lord Ram in Hindu tradition.

Reports from Film Companion reveal that Ranbir underwent a strict Vedic lifestyle regimen, abstaining from meat, alcohol, and late-night shoots to embody the role authentically. His day reportedly began at 4 a.m. with yoga, Sanskrit lessons, and dialect coaching. This dedication has impressed even the film’s VFX supervisor, who said Kapoor’s facial control during intense emotional scenes was “eerily serene and on-point.”

Why Ramayana is Different—and So Is Ranbir

Indian cinema has dabbled with mythological stories for decades. From the golden era of Mahabharat and Ramayan TV serials to recent interpretations like Adipurush, the mythological genre has been a hit-and-miss affair. But Ramayana, helmed by Nitesh Tiwari of Dangal fame, is poised to raise the benchmark.

The film is being produced by Madhu Mantena, Namit Malhotra (Prime Focus CEO), and Allu Aravind, combining technical brilliance with storytelling rooted in tradition. The project is reportedly backed by a budget of over INR 600 crores, making it one of the most expensive Indian films ever made.

In contrast to previous versions that relied heavily on CGI with mixed results, Ramayana is being built with Hollywood-level VFX technology in collaboration with DNEG, the Oscar-winning VFX studio behind Inception and Interstellar. You can read more about DNEG's cinematic portfolio here.

Star Cast Elevates the Stakes

Ranbir Kapoor is joined by Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash (of KGF fame) as the demon king Ravana. This casting alone has generated significant excitement. The chemistry between Ranbir and Sai Pallavi is expected to deliver emotional depth, while Yash’s menacing transformation into Ravana has already gone viral from leaked set footage.

According to a report by Pinkvilla, the film is being shot in three parts, similar to The Lord of the Rings format. This ambitious storytelling arc is giving actors more time to evolve their characters across a sprawling narrative, making the project not just a movie, but a cinematic event.

A Role That Redefines Masculinity

One of the reasons Ranbir’s role is drawing so much attention is because of what Lord Ram represents in Indian culture—a divine embodiment of dharma, restraint, compassion, and inner strength. Kapoor has traditionally been known for his emotionally vulnerable, sometimes flawed male leads. With Ramayana, he’s stepping into a space that demands a regal moral clarity, discipline, and spiritual magnetism.

Film scholar Dr. Meenakshi Pathak, from FTII Pune, explained in a recent panel discussion:

“This role is not just about emoting. It’s about internalizing an entire worldview and conveying it with minimalism. If Kapoor succeeds, he could change how mainstream Indian cinema portrays masculinity.”

Public Expectations—and the Ghost of Adipurush

It’s impossible to talk about Ramayana in 2025 without referencing 2023’s Adipurush—a visually heavy but critically panned film starring Prabhas as Ram. Critics and audiences slammed it for poor dialogues, VFX missteps, and lack of reverence toward source material.

Ranbir’s version is therefore being viewed as a chance at redemption for mythological cinema, a genre many felt had been compromised by spectacle over substance. Early reactions from closed screenings report that the film treats the Valmiki Ramayan and Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas with care, incorporating original Sanskrit verses and authentic costumes based on temple sculpture references.

Career-Best Role? Industry Reactions Say Yes

Industry veterans are already calling Ranbir’s performance a benchmark. Director Anurag Basu, who worked with him on Barfi! and Jagga Jasoos, said in an interview with The Indian Express:

“I’ve seen the rushes. This isn’t just acting—it’s surrender. He’s not playing Ram, he has become Ram.”

Box office analysts are predicting a record-breaking opening and massive overseas interest, particularly from the South Asian diaspora in the US, UK, and Canada where spiritual epics perform well. The film is expected to release in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and English.

Mythological Films Are the New Franchise Format

With the success of films like Baahubali, Kantara, and RRR, Indian filmmakers are realizing the global appetite for culturally rooted stories. Unlike generic action flicks, mythological stories offer epic scale, moral complexity, and spiritual richness—a perfect recipe for cinematic universality.

Ramayana is being positioned as India’s answer to Marvel or Tolkien, with franchise potential. There’s already speculation of follow-ups based on Uttar Ramayan and Luv-Kush chapters, making Ranbir Kapoor the face of a potential mythological cinematic universe.

Final Word: The Ramayana Could Reshape Ranbir Kapoor's Legacy

For Ranbir Kapoor, Ramayana is more than a film—it’s a career pivot, a spiritual deep-dive, and a cultural responsibility. If it succeeds, it may do for Kapoor what Lagaan did for Aamir Khan or Baahubali did for Prabhas. In a time when Bollywood is often criticized for formulaic storytelling, Ramayana promises something different: reverence, ambition, and depth.

Kapoor, long admired for his talent, now stands on the brink of greatness—not just as an actor, but as a cinematic icon embodying a timeless ideal.