'Ranbir Kapoor looks harsh': Sunil Lahri weighs in on Ramayana casting, suggests ‘no controversy’ actor

The teaser of Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, has sparked mixed reactions online ahead of its planned Diwali 2026 release. While some viewers have responded to its scale, others have raised concerns over visual effects and casting choices. Among those sharing their views is Sunil Lahri, known for playing Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar’s television series Ramayan.

In a recent interaction with DNA, Lahri commented on Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Rama. “Ranbir looks OK, but the innocence is a little less. The patience, calm, and innocence Arun (Govil) had are missing here. But I'm sure he'll justify the role with his acting,” he said. His remarks come amid ongoing debate over the casting.

He further added, “He looks a little harsh; he suits more for Laxmana or Bharat. For such a role, it's always better to cast a fresh face. A new actor, with no image or controversy, is always an ideal match.” The comments reflect a preference for a certain screen presence associated with mythological characters.

For context, Lahri was part of the original television adaptation created by Ramanand Sagar, which aired between 1987 and 1988 on Doordarshan. The show continues to hold a strong recall value and has shaped audience expectations around characters from the epic.

The upcoming film is positioned as a large scale project within Indian cinema. Apart from Ranbir Kapoor in the lead, the cast includes Yash as Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. The film is backed by producer Namit Malhotra.

Ranbir Kapoor has also spoken about playing dual roles in the film, including a brief appearance as Lord Parshurama. Explaining his approach, he said, “Lord Vishnu had different avatars. Lord Rama was an avatar and Lord Parshurama was an avatar before Lord Rama.”

He added, “Just to get the opportunity, you know, how I got to play Lord Rama, to also play Lord Parshurama was fantastic. I think as an actor, apart from body language, I think if you deeply understand the spirituality and the emotionality of the characters, I think everything starts from there.”

The film is scheduled for a two part release, with the second instalment expected in Diwali 2027.