Mukesh Khanna Says ‘Shri Ram Ko Rajinikanth Bana Diya’ As He Reacts to ‘Ramayana’ Action Sequences
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has slammed Ranbir Kapoor's portrayal of Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend', stating that action scenes make the character resemble Rajinikanth rather than 'Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram'. Khanna's comments in a recent interview.
Bollywood veteran Mukesh Khanna has voiced strong reservations regarding the depiction of Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's highly anticipated film, Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor. Khanna, known for his iconic portrayal of Shaktimaan and Bhishma Pitamah, expressed his displeasure with the film's action-heavy sequences and visual effects, suggesting they deviate from the revered image of 'Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram'. ‘Ramayana’ Release Preponed: Ranbir Kapoor’s Mythological Film to Now Arrive in Theatres on November 5?.
Mukesh Khanna On Ramayana Action Scenes
In a recent interview with Bollyywood Now on its YouTube channel, Mukesh Khanna did not hold back his criticism of the promotional material for Ramayana: Rise of a Legend. He emphatically stated, "Aapne unko Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth bana diya hai. Nahin sahab, Ram Ram hai. Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram." Khanna argued that the filmmakers have presented Lord Ram more as a conventional action hero, or Dhurandhar, rather than focusing on his dignified and righteous persona.
Khanna specifically questioned a scene reportedly showing Lord Ram climbing a tree to shoot arrows, asserting that such an action is not traditionally associated with the character in the epic. He further challenged the premise of an action-oriented Ram, asking, "If he fought this way, then why would he have needed the help of the Vanar Sena?"
The veteran actor also raised concerns about the extensive use of visual effects, noting that while such spectacles might appeal to international audiences, Indian viewers connect with 'Ramayana' through faith and cultural understanding, not merely special effects like those seen in films such as 'Star Wars'.
Mukesh Khanna's Critique of ‘Ramayana’ and Ranbir Kapoor:
Ranbir Kapoor's Role and Production Details
Ranbir Kapoor, who essays the role of Lord Ram, has previously described the part as a significant "responsibility." Director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra confirmed that Ranbir Kapoor was always their "only choice" for the pivotal role, despite earlier speculation. The film, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, is an ambitious mythological epic directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for Dangal and Chhichhore.
Produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios (DNEG) and Yash's Monster Mind Creations, the film boasts an ensemble cast including Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. Arun Govil, who famously played Ram in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, will portray Dashrath. The musical score for the two-part series is a collaborative effort between industry stalwarts Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman. ‘Ramayana’: Ranbir Kapoor Asks MrBeast To Chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’ During Event.
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 6, 2026. The film, along with its second instalment, commands a colossal budget of INR 4,000 crore, inclusive of marketing costs. Filming commenced in April 2024 and concluded in July 2025. Mukesh Khanna's comments add a notable voice to the ongoing discussions surrounding the much-anticipated adaptation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2026 12:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
