Aarya Babbar Calls Yash’s ‘Ramayana’ Look ‘KGF’-Like, Defends Saif Ali Khan’s ‘Adipurush’ Ravana

Bollywood actor Aarya Babbar has waded into the ongoing discussions surrounding the portrayal of the formidable demon king Ravana in Indian cinema, offering a dual perspective on the highly anticipated Ramayana starring Yash and the recently released Adipurush featuring Saif Ali Khan. In an exclusive interview with Variety India, Babbar, who himself is set to embody Ravana in the theatrical production 'Mahabali', voiced his reservations about Yash's first revealed look and simultaneously championed Saif's much-criticised performance. ‘Ramayana’ Release Preponed: Ranbir Kapoor’s Mythological Film to Now Arrive in Theatres on November 5?.

Aarya Babbar Criticises Yash's Look in Ramayana

Turning his attention to Nitesh Tiwari's grand cinematic adaptation, 'Ramayana: Part 1', set for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026, Aarya Babbar expressed concerns regarding the visual originality of Yash’s portrayal of Ravana. Babbar noted that the look, particularly the beard, strongly reminded him of Yash's iconic appearance in the 'KGF' franchise.

"Honestly, it's too early to comment on what he's bringing to the character. I did not honestly feel that there is anything new in his look except the costumes. It's pretty much the same beard that he's had in 'KGF' before. It is not a new look per se that I've seen in 'Ramayana'. I saw a new look of his in 'Toxic'," Babbar told Variety India. He further expressed hope that the full film would unveil a different side of the actor, acknowledging that the project is seemingly geared towards an international audience.

Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1 boasts an impressive ensemble, with Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. Produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG and Yash's Monster Mind Creations, the film will feature music by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Advance bookings for the epic are slated to open on Dussehra, October 20, 2026.

Defending Saif Ali Khan's Adipurush Performance

In contrast to his critique of Yash's look, Babbar came to the strong defence of Saif Ali Khan’s controversial portrayal of Lankesh (Ravana) in Om Raut's Adipurush. The 2023 mythological action film, which also starred Prabhas as Raghava (Rama) and Kriti Sanon as Janaki (Sita), faced extensive backlash for its screenplay, dialogues, and visual effects, eventually underperforming at the box office with an estimated INR 392.70 crore against a budget of INR 500-700 crore.

Babbar commended Saif's performance, stating, "I think Saif was very good as Ravana. An actor is only as good as the director's perception and interpretation. So whatever he played in 'Adipurush' is also something what the director must have made him perform. But he brought about a different kind of intensity to the character." He reiterated that actors should not be held solely accountable for a film's creative choices, emphasising that "His performance, his look, everything was a director's interpretation. You cannot blame the actor for that."

Adipurush, produced by T-Series Films and Retrophiles, opened globally with INR 140 crore on its first day and a worldwide weekend collection of USD 41 million (approximately INR 340 crore at current rates).

Adding another layer to the discussion, Aarya Babbar highlighted his own immersion into the character of Ravana for the theatrical production 'Mahabali'. He stressed the importance of portraying mythological figures with depth and a comprehensive understanding of their emotional and traditional significance. Babbar credited his director Kulvinder Bakshish Singh and writer Ashutosh Dwivedi for enabling a nuanced and layered interpretation of Ravana, moving beyond conventional villain archetypes. Did Anjali Arora’s ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’ Producer Hint at ‘Ramayana’ Team Behind Negative PR Campaign?.

As Indian cinema continues its exploration of mythological epics, Babbar’s insights offer a timely reflection on creative interpretations and the delicate balance between an actor's performance and a director's vision, particularly for characters deeply embedded in cultural consciousness.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 14, 2026 02:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).