‘Ramayana’: ‘Mahabharat’ Actor Gajendra Chauhan Reveals Why He Was Unimpressed With Ranbir Kapoor-Yash’s Trailer
Mahabharat actor Gajendra Chauhan expresses disappointment with the 'Ramayana: Part 1' trailer, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash. In a Hindi Rush interview, Chauhan critiques Kaikeyi's modern portrayal and the casting of big stars. He acknowledges Ranbir Kapoor looks apt as Lord Ram. Details on Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming Diwali 2026 epic.
Bollywood veteran Gajendra Chauhan, widely recognised for his iconic portrayal of Yudhishthir in BR Chopra's acclaimed Mahabharat, has shared his candid thoughts on the highly anticipated trailer for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1. In an interview with Hindi Rush Podcast, Chauhan expressed that he was personally "not impressed" by the glimpse into the Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash-starrer, raising several points of concern regarding its adaptation of the revered Hindu epic. Ranbir Kapoor's 'Ramayana' Releasing in India Two Days After Global Debut? Producer Namit Malhotra Shares Details.
Gajendra Chauhan Shares His Thoughts on Nitesh Tiwari's ‘Ramayana’
Chauhan's primary criticism centred on the depiction of certain mythological characters and scenes. He specifically questioned the portrayal of Kaikeyi, played by Lara Dutta, in the pivotal scene where she demands Lord Ram's exile. "I was not impressed by Kaikeyi's scene where she asks for Ram's exile. Her dressing, for one, is very modern. They have given her a modern sari," Chauhan remarked.
He felt that the scene lacked the emotional depth and impact he remembered from earlier adaptations, drawing a direct comparison to his own experience playing King Dashrath in Ramanand Sagar's 2002 Ramayan, where, he noted, the Kaikeyi-Dashrath sequence was meticulously filmed over a day and a half to capture its crucial emotional weight.
Beyond specific character styling, the actor also raised broader concerns about the trend of casting established Bollywood stars in mythological roles. Chauhan believes that audiences often struggle to disassociate major actors from their existing screen personas, making it challenging for them to fully accept these performers as revered mythological figures. He cited Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Rama, as an example, acknowledging that while Kapoor "looks good" and "convincing" in the role, his strong public image as a Bollywood star could influence viewer perception.
Chauhan recalled his own journey as Yudhishthir in Mahabharat, noting that prior to the series, he did not possess a significant public image, which allowed audiences to readily associate him solely with the mythological character. He also expressed a general disinclination towards an "excessive reliance on technology" in adapting epics, stating that it can diminish realism and become "unacceptable," particularly for audiences accustomed to more traditional, grounded portrayals.
Despite his reservations, Chauhan did offer praise for Ranbir Kapoor's physical appearance as Lord Ram, stating that he looked apt for the role. He also lauded the casting of veteran actor Arun Govil, who famously played Lord Rama in Ramanand Sagar's 1987 Ramayan, returning to the epic as King Dasharatha in Nitesh Tiwari's film.
Watch Gajendra Chauhan's Interview:
About Nitesh Tiwari's ‘Ramayana: Part 1’
Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1 is an ambitious Hindi-language epic fantasy film co-written and directed by Tiwari, produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash. The film boasts an ensemble cast and a reported budget of INR 4,000 crore (combined with Part 2), making it one of the most expensive Indian films ever made.
The global trailer for Ramayana: Part 1 was officially released on July 30, 2026, offering a four-minute glimpse into the visually spectacular narrative. Producer Namit Malhotra later revealed that the trailer garnered over a billion views within five days across various platforms. The film's musical score is a collaboration between internationally renowned composers Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman. Manoj Muntashir Labels ‘Adipurush’ a ‘Failed Attempt,’ Urges No Comparison With Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’.
Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled for an international theatrical release on November 6, 2026, followed by its India premiere on November 8, 2026, coinciding with the Diwali festivities. The second instalment of the series, Ramayana: Part 2, is slated for a Diwali 2027 release.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 12, 2026 03:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
