Ramanand Sagar's Grandson Questions Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana'

Shiv Sagar, the grandson of legendary filmmaker Ramanand Sagar and producer of 'Kaakbhushundi Ramayan', has voiced his reservations about Ranbir Kapoor being cast as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming film 'Ramayana'. While he appreciates most of the casting choices, he finds it difficult to reconcile Kapoor's recent morally complex role in 'Animal' with the revered character of Lord Ram.

"Except for that one casting, I like the rest of the casting very much. Personally, I cannot accept Ranbir Kapoor as Ram because after Animal, I cannot accept him as Ram," Sagar said. He suggested that a fresh face would have been more suitable for the role, noting that strong supporting actors like Yash and Sai Pallavi, who don't carry the same "baggage," look promising in their parts.

Sagar clarified that he holds no personal animosity toward Kapoor, acknowledging him as a very good actor. He speculated that the filmmakers may have chosen Kapoor for marketing reasons, but maintained that for characters of such spiritual and historical significance, it is better to cast someone without prior on-screen history. "Because after Ramayan, will he be accepted again in a film like Animal?" he asked, emphasizing that Lord Ram is not just mythology but history, worshipped daily by millions.

Despite his concerns, Sagar conceded that the ultimate judgment rests with the audience. "The public is the king, and whatever the public says will be the final verdict," he said, while also noting that some costumes could have been better.

In a related development, the Sagar family's three-generation-old dream has materialized with the completion of a Ram Temple in Maharashtra's Karjat. The project, originally envisioned by Ramanand Sagar and advanced by his son Prem Sagar, has now been fulfilled by Shiv Sagar.