‘Ramayana’: ‘Ranbir is More Krishna than Rama,’ says Ramanand Sagar’s grandson

Producer Shiv Sagar, Ramanand Sagar’s grandson, discusses his reservations about Ranbir Kapoor portraying Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s “Ramayana,” contrasting this creative critique with his family’s deep, multi-generational ties to the Kapoors. In a conversation with Variety India, he reflects on Arun Govil’s irreplaceable cultural footprint and admits to a fierce, inherited protectiveness over his grandfather’s iconic television legacy.

You’ve said Ranbir Kapoor doesn’t fit your image of Lord Rama. Why do you say so?

For me, Lord Ram represents Maryada Purushottam—the epitome of virtue, dignity, restraint and ideal conduct. My understanding of Lord Rama is quite different from that of Lord Krishna, who is playful, mischievous and full of leela, whereas Ram carries a certain gravity, discipline and serenity.

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That is simply my personal interpretation of the character. I feel Ranbir has qualities as an actor that could perhaps lend themselves very well to a character like Lord Krishna, but when I visualize Lord Rama, I see someone much more restrained, serious and inwardly composed. It is not a comment on Ranbir’s abilities as an actor; it is about the particular image and temperament I associate with Lord Rama.

Did your comments on Ranbir upset anyone in the Kapoor family? 

I don’t think they particularly concern themselves with what I have to say (laughs). On a serious note, there is mutual respect between our families, and I have absolutely no personal issue with Ranbir.

Interestingly, Ranbir mentioned your grandfather Ramanand Sagar while speaking about “Ramayana.” What did you make of that acknowledgment? There’s also a lesser-known Kapoor connection to Ramanand Sagar. What is that story?

I genuinely appreciated that. Our families actually go back a long way. Prithviraj Kapoor gave my grandfather one of his earliest breaks as a writer in the Hindi film industry, with “Barsaat” (1949). There is also an interesting connection involving Shashi Kapoor—he was cast as Krishna in a film my grandfather had planned, although it eventually didn’t materialize. We have a rare photograph from that period.

There is also a more recent connection. My sister, Shabnam Gupta, designed Ranbir and Alia’s home in Bandra. So, our families have interacted and shared mutual respect for several generations. Both families have had roughly four generations working in the film industry, which is quite remarkable.

You approve of Arun Govil playing King Dasharath, but have reservations about Ranbir playing Lord Rama. Why so?

I wouldn’t necessarily say that Arun ji was the only actor who could have played King Dasharath. There may have been other actors who could have brought something wonderful to the role. But I do understand the thinking behind the casting. Having Arunji associated with the project is also a way of acknowledging his extraordinary connection with “Ramayan” and the audience. From a filmmaking and marketing perspective, a large theatrical film and a television series are very different propositions, and many business considerations are involved.

At the same time, Arunji has a very deep understanding of this genre. His command of Hindi is excellent, and he has carried the association as Lord Rama for decades. That is not an easy burden to carry. He has devoted a significant part of his life to that identity, and I have enormous respect for him.

Does being Ramanand Sagar’s grandson make you more protective of “Ramayana” than you perhaps should be?

Absolutely (laughs). We have grown up with “Ramayan.” It is part of our family history, our cultural upbringing and our personal identity. So naturally, we carry our own perspectives and biases. But I also recognize that my grandfather’s “Ramayan” was never universally received in the same way. The masses embraced it tremendously, while sections of the educated and critical audiences felt that it was too emotional or visually theatrical. My grandfather wasn’t trying to make the show specifically for the critics or the elite. He wanted to communicate the story of Lord Rama to ordinary people, and he was extremely happy with the response he received.

The fact that people continue to watch it and connect with it decades later is, I think, the greatest validation of what he set out to do.