Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has disclosed that he initially turned down the opportunity to play Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated adaptation of the Ramayana. Speaking at a promotional event in New York City on Tuesday, the actor admitted that he first rejected the role four years ago because he felt he was "not good enough" to portray the iconic deity. ‘Ramayana’: Ranbir Kapoor Unveils ‘Rama’ First Glimpse Teaser in Los Angeles; India Event on THIS Date (Watch Video).

Kapoor, joined by director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra, shared that his personal journey, specifically becoming a father to his daughter, Raha Kapoor played a pivotal role in changing his mind and preparing him for the spiritual weight of the character.

Ranbir Kapoor Says He Initially Said ‘No’ to ‘Ramayana’

Reflecting on the early stages of the project, Kapoor revealed that his immediate reaction to the offer from producer Namit Malhotra was one of hesitation. "I remember when Namit offered me this part around four years ago, my instant reaction was 'No', I'm not fit enough, not good enough and I won't be able to do full justice," Kapoor stated.

The actor explained that the character of Lord Ram is so deeply "etched in our consciousness" that he felt a massive responsibility to ensure the portrayal was truthful. At the time, he did not believe he possessed the necessary maturity or mindset to undertake such a significant role in Indian cinema.

How Ranbir Kapoor's Daughter Raha Changed His Mind

The actor’s perspective shifted dramatically following the birth of his daughter, Raha. Kapoor described the timing of the film offer and his transition into fatherhood as a "sweet coincidence" that forced him to re-evaluate his life and lifestyle.

"I was in a period in my life where I needed to change my life and lifestyle. I became a father for the first time," Kapoor shared. He noted that the discipline and emotional depth required for fatherhood provided the foundation he needed to finally accept the role. "I think the sweet coincidence of playing Lord Ram and becoming a father was needed for a turning point in my life," he added, describing the shift from fear to gratitude.

Preparation for an Emotional and Spiritual Journey

Beyond the physical transformation often required for such roles, Kapoor emphasised that his preparation for Ramayana has been primarily emotional and spiritual. He credited his early exposure to Ramanand Sagar’s classic television series for rooting the story in his mind, but noted that this new cinematic version aims for a global scale. Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Ramayana’ Teaser ‘Rama’ Gets CBFC Clearance; 2-Minute Reveal Set for This Date.

‘Ramayana’ Teaser Release

Producer Namit Malhotra further highlighted the production's ambition, comparing the film's visual scale to Avatar and its emotional resonance to Gladiator. The team also confirmed that the first official glimpse of the film is set to launch on April 2, coinciding with Hanuman Jayanti, as part of a global rollout for the trilogy.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 01, 2026 11:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).