Gurmeet Choudhary Backs Ranbir Kapoor for ‘Ramayana’ Role
Former Ramayan actor Gurmeet Choudhary shares his thoughts on the grand scale of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana and Ranbir Kapoor's portrayal of Lord Ram.
For actor Gurmeet Choudhary, stepping into the shoes of Lord Ram for the 2008 television series Ramayan was a career-defining moment that brought him into millions of homes. Now, as the epic returns to the screen in a cinematic avatar, Gurmeet has expressed his full support for Ranbir Kapoor, who is set to lead Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming magnum opus. Speaking to ANI, the actor shared his excitement after viewing the trailer, stating that Ranbir Kapoor will undoubtedly do justice to the divine role.
A Grand Vision for the Big Screen
Gurmeet was particularly struck by the ambition and visual scale of the new production. He noted that the trailer reflects a project shot on a massive scale, signaling a cinematic experience that aims to bring the ancient epic to a global audience. He expressed happiness that the history of the land would be showcased worldwide with such grandeur.
“Yes, absolutely. I have watched the trailer of Ramayana, and it looks very good. It has been shot on a very grand scale,” Gurmeet remarked.
Lessons from the Legends
Reflecting on his own journey, Gurmeet recalled the immense pressure and responsibility that comes with portraying a figure as revered as Lord Ram. He credited Arun Govil, the iconic actor from the original Ramayan, as a primary source of inspiration. Gurmeet admitted that he and many others are huge fans of Govil and learned a great deal by observing his performance.
He also shared a poignant memory of his interactions with Anand Sagar, the director of the 2008 series and son of Ramanand Sagar. According to Gurmeet, Anand Sagar had emphasized that his version of the story was meant for a new generation of children who were too young to have seen the previous iterations.
Gurmeet recalled being told, “Gurmeet, Arun ji played Ram exactly 25 years before your version. Now, this responsibility rests on your shoulders. You will introduce Ramayan to a new generation of children... By watching you, they will learn about Lord Ram and our history.”
The Next Chapter: Ranbir Kapoor’s Turn
Nearly two decades after his own portrayal, Gurmeet believes the torch has now passed to Ranbir Kapoor. Praising Ranbir's acting caliber, Gurmeet stated his confidence that the actor is well-suited for the role and will deliver a powerful performance.
Cast and Production Details
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema. The star-studded ensemble includes:
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama
- Sai Pallavi as Sita
- Yash as Ravana
- Sunny Deol as Hanuman
- Ravi Dubey as Lakshman
Release Schedule and Distribution
The film is envisioned as a two-part epic, produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in partnership with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. To ensure a massive reach, the movie will be released in five languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, and will be available in IMAX format.
The first installment is slated for a worldwide release on November 5, 2026, while the second part is expected to hit screens during Diwali 2027. Global distribution outside India will be managed by Sony Pictures, with Dharma Productions handling the distribution for the Hindi-speaking market.