Ranbir Kapoor Says He Did Not Consider Himself ‘Good Enough’ to Play Lord Rama: ‘I Needed to Change My Lifestyle’

In the Q&A session post the recent IMAX trailer screening of the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer “Ramayana” in New York, the actor recalled producer Namit Malhotra approaching him for the historical magnum opus.

RK shared how he had reservations about portraying Lord Rama and how his daughter Raha’s birth played a role in his accepting the movie.

“Coming to play Lord Rama, I remember when Namit offered me this part around four years back, my instant reaction was: ‘I am not fit enough, good enough.’ I felt I wouldn’t be able to do full justice. But that fear quickly turned into gratitude because opportunities like this were something I truly needed in my life,” the actor said.

“There was a period when I needed to change my lifestyle. I had just become a father for the first time. The sweet coincidence of playing Lord Rama and becoming a father became a turning point in my life,” he added.

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Ranbir also shared the intense preparation that went into playing this sacred role and said, “For me, the preparation began the day I watched Ramanand Sagar’s ‘Ramayana.’ It is so deeply etched in our subconscious and rooted in us that we feel immense pride in Lord Rama’s journey. When I got the opportunity to portray him, I knew the preparation had to go beyond the physical—it had to be emotional and spiritual. One has to be truthful to the character, because he is loved by billions across centuries and will continue to be, long after we are gone.”

He expressed his gratitude for this enormous opportunity and concluded by saying, “The responsibility is something I take very seriously. I have immense love and respect for this part and for the story of Ramayana. When that conviction is in place, everything else falls into place.”

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, “Ramayana” also stars Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravie Dubey and Sunny Deol, among others.

The second glimpse of the film will be unveiled tomorrow (April 2) to coincide with the auspicious occasion of Shree Hanuman Jayanti.