Addressing the discourse, skepticism, and immense weight that accompanies portraying Maryada Purushottam, Kapoor clarified that no single mortal actor can claim to be "worthy" of embodying Lord Ram. Instead, he framed the performance around spiritual surrender, duty, and living up to the collective faith of millions of devotees.
"Not an Exciting Role, But a Responsibility"
Kapoor rejected treating the depiction of Lord Ram as just another conventional film assignment:
“Yeh role nahi hai. It's not ki mujhe ek film offer hui hai aur yeh ek role exciting hai... yeh ek zimmedari hai [This is not a role in a film. It’s not that I’ve been offered a film and found an exciting role... this is a responsibility]. Everything just comes down to the simplicity and belief of the individual playing Lord Ram.”
Explaining how he approached the daunting scale of the role day after day on set, Kapoor touched on his guiding mantra:
“You know there is a well-known principle from our Vedic texts: 'Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah' [Dharma protects those who uphold it]. Every single day on set, I reminded myself that my job was not to be worthy of this role. My job was to be worthy of the faith that people place in this story.”
Drawing Wisdom from Arun Govil: The Power of Forgiveness
Kapoor also cited senior actor Arun Govil—who immortalized Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's classic 1987 television serial and plays King Dashrath in Tiwari’s adaptation—as a foundational touchstone:
Beyond the Bow and Arrow: Kapoor noted that Govil shared a perspective on Ram’s core virtue that reshaped his entire preparation:
“Arun sir is the iconic Lord Ram for all of us. One of his lines really resonated deeply with me: 'Kshama Dharma, Kshama Yagya, Kshama Veda, Sanatana'. See, Lord Ram's greatest strength was not his bow; it was his supreme ability to forgive.”
The Focus on Emotional Depth: Kapoor credited director Nitesh Tiwari for refusing to reduce the narrative to sheer spectacle: “He directs a massive fighting sequence, but him being so invested in the emotionality and moral rectitude of Ram was such a pleasant surprise.”
What Co-Stars and Producers Observed on Set
The making video features candid insights from his co-stars and the production team regarding the casting:
Sai Pallavi (Mata Sita):
“I don't know if it's quite famous, but there is this classical painting of a slender Ram with his head tilted slightly, beside a petite Sita. That is the exact image I remember from my childhood. When I first saw Ranbir on set in character, suddenly I could see that very Ram from my memory, and I was completely awestruck.”
Ravie Dubey (Lakshman):
“I strongly believed that the simplicity we hear about Lord Ram is the same innate simplicity I see in Ranbir Kapoor's eyes.”
Namit Malhotra (Producer): Stated that Kapoor’s natural sincerity and expressive vulnerability made the casting non-debatable for both himself and Tiwari from day one.
Cultural & Industry Verdict:
By framing his performance around emotional vulnerability and accountability rather than personal ego, Ranbir Kapoor has addressed the scrutiny that comes with adapting India's sacred epic. Heading into its November 8, 2026 Diwali launch, the candid admission strikes a chord with audiences looking for reverent, substance-driven storytelling.
