"This depiction goes against our faith": Actor Mukesh Khanna on portrayal of Lord Ram in upcoming film Ramayana
Actor Mukesh Khanna criticizes the upcoming Ramayana film, stating the aggressive depiction of Lord Ram goes against his image as Maryada Purushottam.
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has voiced strong opposition to the upcoming cinematic adaptation of the epic Ramayana, claiming that the portrayal of Lord Ram deviates significantly from his divine essence. The actor expressed concerns that the character is being depicted with excessive physical aggression, which contradicts the established identity of Maryada Purushottam.
'He Was Not a Commando'
Speaking to the media, Khanna shared his reaction to the initial glimpses of the film, where Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram, is seen performing high-octane action sequences. The actor noted that the promo showed the character leaping onto trees and using special effects to strike down enemies, a style he likened to modern action stars.
“I saw the promo where suddenly Ram is shown; it was supposed to be Ram, charging furiously, leaping onto trees, and striking down with special effects,” Khanna remarked. He went on to compare the style to Hollywood and Bollywood action icons, stating, “I said Schwarzenegger, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Rajinikanth can do this. But Maryada Purushottam Ram would never. This depiction goes against our faith; he was Maryada Purushottam.”
Khanna emphasized the humility and patience that define the deity, citing the episode where Lord Ram approached the ocean. He reminded viewers that even when faced with the vast sea, Ram first folded his hands in prayer and worshipped the Shivling before ever reaching for his bow. “If he were so physically aggressive that he could climb trees and strike down enemies like a commando, why did he even need the army of Vanaras? Why would he need Hanuman and the monkey army?” he questioned.
Concerns Over Religious Depictions
Beyond the specific portrayal of the lead character, Khanna raised broader questions regarding how Hindu religious figures are represented in modern cinema. He suggested that there is a tendency within the industry to treat Hindu heritage as a "soft target."
“People of other religions aren't making these films; Hindus themselves are making them against their own heritage. Why? Because we are a soft target,” Khanna argued, suggesting that filmmakers may feel there will be little resistance to such interpretations. He added that while actors like Ranbir Kapoor are talented, the timing of such a role following intense, gritty performances in films like Animal could create a clash in the audience's perception of the character's image.
About the Upcoming Ramayana Film
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the highly anticipated Ramayana is a massive two-part project based on Valmiki’s epic. The film features a star-studded ensemble cast:
- Ranbir Kapoor: Lord Rama
- Sai Pallavi: Sita
- Yash: Ravana
- Sunny Deol: Hanuman
- Ravi Dubey: Lakshman
- Arun Govil: Dasharatha
The ambitious production is backed by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios, in collaboration with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. The first installment is slated for a worldwide release during Diwali 2026, followed by the second part during Diwali 2027. The epic will be released in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.