The casting of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming two-part film ‘Ramayana’ has come under fresh scrutiny after Shiv Sagar, grandson of the late filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, said he personally finds it difficult to accept the actor in the role.

Shiv Sagar, who is also a producer-director, said Ranbir’s previous screen image—particularly his role in Animal—creates what he described as “baggage” for a character as culturally and spiritually significant as Lord Ram. He said a relatively new face would, in his view, have been a better choice. 

Shiv Sagar prefers a fresh face for Ram

Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sagar said he liked most of the film’s casting but disagreed with the choice of Ranbir Kapoor for Lord Ram.

He explained that when he thinks of Ram, he finds it difficult to separate Ranbir from the image created by his earlier roles. According to Shiv, a fresh actor without a strong association with previous characters could have allowed audiences to approach the role differently.

His comments were specifically about his personal perception of the casting, rather than a statement about Ranbir Kapoor’s acting ability. 

‘Animal’ image cited as the main concern

Shiv Sagar’s objection centres on Ranbir’s portrayal of Ranvijay Singh Balbir in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, a character that was markedly different from the traditional image associated with Lord Ram.

He argued that actors portraying revered mythological figures can carry the weight of their earlier screen identities into such roles. Shiv said this is why his family has generally preferred new faces for characters in their television productions.

The debate is particularly sensitive because Ramayana is not being treated merely as another fictional adaptation by many Indian viewers. Shiv stressed that Lord Ram is worshipped by millions and occupies a significant place in Indian cultural and religious life.

Yash and Sai Pallavi receive praise

While questioning Ranbir’s casting, Shiv Sagar praised the choices of Yash and Sai Pallavi.

Yash plays Ravana, while Sai Pallavi portrays Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s adaptation. Shiv said both actors appeared suitable to him because, in his assessment, they did not carry the same kind of previous-role association that he believes Ranbir brings to the project. 

His comments come as the film’s casting continues to attract considerable public discussion ahead of its theatrical release.

Costume choices also questioned

Shiv Sagar also expressed reservations about some of the film’s costumes and other creative decisions.

He said that certain aspects of the casting and costume design could have been handled differently, while emphasising that ultimately the audience would determine whether the filmmakers’ choices worked.

The remarks add another layer to the ongoing discussion around the visual interpretation of the epic, particularly after promotional material and the trailer generated debate over character looks and costumes.

Why the casting debate matters

The casting discussion reflects a larger challenge faced by filmmakers adapting culturally revered stories for contemporary cinema: balancing star power and commercial reach with the expectations audiences attach to familiar religious and cultural figures.

Shiv Sagar acknowledged that casting a major star such as Ranbir could have commercial advantages, including helping the film’s marketing. However, he maintained that his personal preference would still be for a new face in the role of Ram.

Similar concerns about Ranbir’s Animal image have also been raised publicly by veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, who recently argued that the association could affect how children and audiences perceive the character of Ram. 

‘Ramayana’ set for November 2026 release

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part 1 stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The film is planned as the first instalment of a two-part adaptation.

The makers have announced November 6, 2026 as the global theatrical release date for the first part. 

As the release approaches, the response to the casting, costumes, visual effects and overall interpretation is likely to remain an important part of the film’s public conversation.

The actress has revealed in several interviews that she attended nearly 20 to 25 auditions during the early stages of her career. Most of them ended in disappointment. Casting teams frequently rejected her, sometimes telling her directly that she did not fit the conventional image of an actress. The criticism affected her deeply, and she often returned home in tears after unsuccessful auditions.

Born on April 5, 1996, in Virajpet in Karnataka’s Kodagu district, Rashmika comes from a Kodava family. Her father, Madan Mandanna, is a businessman associated with the coffee estate sector, while her mother, Suman Mandanna, has remained a strong source of support throughout her career. Rashmika has often spoken about the financial struggles her family experienced during her childhood.

In interviews, she recalled a time when her parents faced difficulties managing household expenses. Those experiences shaped her outlook on life and motivated her to work hard to build a successful career. Much of her childhood was spent in a boarding school, where she developed an interest in cultural activities, particularly dance.

Although she actively participated in school events and trained in Bharatanatyam, acting was never part of her original career plan. Rashmika pursued higher education and completed a bachelor's degree in English Literature, Psychology and Journalism. During her college years, she won the Clean & Clear Times Fresh Face contest in 2014, which opened doors to modelling opportunities.

Even then, she was uncertain about entering films. It was only after encouragement from people around her that she began auditioning for acting roles. What followed was a difficult period marked by repeated rejection.

Rashmika has said that she struggled emotionally during those years. A film project she was selected for reportedly never materialised despite months of preparation and training. The setback left her questioning whether a career in cinema was possible. However, she continued looking for opportunities rather than giving up.

The turning point came with the Kannada film Kirik Party in 2016. Directed by Rishab Shetty, the film became a major success and introduced Rashmika to audiences across Karnataka. Her performance received positive reviews and instantly changed her career trajectory.

Following the success of Kirik Party, she appeared in successful Kannada films such as Anjani Putra and Chamak. Her popularity continued to rise, eventually leading to opportunities in Telugu cinema.

Her Telugu debut Chalo proved successful, while Geetha Govindam opposite Vijay Deverakonda turned her into one of the most recognised young actresses in South Indian cinema. Over the next few years, she strengthened her position with films including Dear Comrade, Sarileru Neekevvaru, Bheeshma and Pushpa: The Rise.

The role of Srivalli in Pushpa significantly expanded her popularity beyond regional cinema. The film’s nationwide success transformed Rashmika into a pan-India star and brought her widespread recognition among Hindi-speaking audiences.

Her Bollywood journey began with Goodbye alongside Amitabh Bachchan, but it was Animal opposite Ranbir Kapoor that became another major milestone. The film further increased her visibility and strengthened her position in the Hindi film industry.

Despite her success, Rashmika has also faced criticism and social media trolling over the years. From controversies surrounding personal relationships to debates involving comments made during interviews, she has frequently found herself at the centre of online discussions. The actress has responded by emphasising the importance of kindness and focusing on her work rather than negativity.

Looking back, Rashmika often credits her early failures for helping shape her career. The repeated rejections that once left her discouraged eventually became lessons in resilience and perseverance.

From being told she did not look like an actress to becoming one of Indian cinema’s biggest stars, Rashmika Mandanna’s journey remains a powerful example of how persistence can overcome even the toughest setbacks.