Ajinkya Deo On Nitesh Tiwari’s Brief For Vishwamitra In ‘Ramayana’: ‘Don’t Go Overboard’ (EXCLUSIVE)

For an actor portraying one of the revered figures in the "Ramayana" - Sage Vishwamitra - the temptation to lean into grandeur would be understandable. Ajinkya Deo says director Nitesh Tiwari wanted exactly the opposite. Speaking exclusively to Variety India, Deo says, “The character was already larger than life. He would quietly come to me and say, 'This is what I want. Don't go overboard.'"

For the actor, that understated approach became one of the defining creative lessons of working on "Ramayana." "I learned a lot from Nitesh Tiwari as a director. He's brilliant because he's very soft spoken. You hardly hear him on set, but when he is absolutely clear about what he wants. He never lets a performance become bigger than it needs to be," he says.

Exploring the Human Side of Vishwamitra

Deo describes playing Vishwamitra, the sage whose guidance becomes the catalyst for Lord Ram's journey, as one of the greatest responsibilities of his career. "The moment I was selected to play Vishwamitra, I was in awe. He's such a pivotal character. I believe I was chosen to play him. As the shoot moved forward and I saw the sets, and later watched portions during dubbing, I realized I was part of something truly colossal," he says.

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That preparation extended beyond appearance. “I am a spiritual person, and the moment you wear the costume and step into that world, there is a sense of purity that automatically comes to you. I worked a lot on my voice because I wanted to bring gravitas to the character,” he says.

Reflecting on the atmosphere during the shoot, he shares, “There was a sense of spirituality on the set. Whether it was Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Arun Govil ji or anyone else, there was a certain energy around the film that stayed with all of us."

Having grown up watching different screen adaptations of the "Ramayana," Deo believes Tiwari's interpretation distinguishes itself by combining emotional depth with unprecedented scale. “Every generation has experienced the 'Ramayana' in its own way. The characters remain the same, but audiences will experience them with greater depth and in a much more immersive way. Technology is a huge part of this film. But at the end of the day, audiences connect with characters and emotions. That is what will stay with them."

Still A Student of Cinema

Despite a career spanning decades, Deo says "Ramayana" reminded him that every project demands a fresh perspective. "I have worked in many films, but never one mounted on this scale with this level of technology. Every film teaches you something. Even after so many years, I still consider myself a student of cinema."

Ironically, the actor says the biggest lesson from one of the largest productions of his career wasn't about scale at all. It was about restraint. "The character was already powerful. My job was simply to play him truthfully."