Bollywood News: Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has expressed strong reservations about the portrayal of Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayana. After watching the recently released trailer, the actor questioned the film’s action-heavy treatment of the character as well as its extensive use of visual effects.
Mukesh, known for playing Bhishma Pitamah in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat and for his iconic Shaktimaan character, said the trailer presents Shri Ram more like a conventional action hero than the traditionally revered Maryada Purushottam.
Mukesh Khanna Says Ram Was Made ‘Dhurandhar’
Speaking to Bollywood Now, Mukesh Khanna said the trailer’s depiction of Lord Ram did not align with his understanding of the character.
He particularly pointed to a sequence in which Ranbir Kapoor’s Ram is shown climbing a tree and shooting arrows. Mukesh said that although Shri Ram was a skilled warrior and archer, he had not encountered such a depiction in the versions of the Ramayana he had read or in Ramleela performances he had watched.
The veteran actor described the presentation as turning Ram into an action-oriented figure and used the word “Dhurandhar” to express his criticism of the treatment.
‘Ram Ram Hai, Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram’
Mukesh went further while explaining his objection to the trailer.
He said the makers had made Shri Ram resemble Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth, arguing that Ram should remain recognisable as Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram rather than being presented primarily through the language of contemporary action cinema.
His comments were specifically about the manner in which the character has been presented in the trailer and do not represent a statement from the filmmakers about their creative intentions.
Mukesh Questions The Action Sequences
Another part of Mukesh’s criticism focused on the scale of the combat sequences.
The actor said that if Shri Ram is presented mainly as a “man of action,” the portrayal could move away from the qualities traditionally associated with the character.
He also compared the treatment to Clint Eastwood’s action persona and questioned whether such a depiction was consistent with the role of the Vanar Sena in the epic.
Mukesh’s argument is based on his own reading and understanding of the Ramayana and its traditional representations.
He Also Raises Questions About Heavy VFX
Mukesh Khanna also discussed the extensive visual effects visible in the Ramayana trailer.
He acknowledged that a large-scale visual treatment could potentially appeal to international audiences, where viewers might approach the movie as a fantasy spectacle comparable to major Hollywood productions.
However, he drew a distinction between international viewers and Indian audiences, arguing that Indian viewers have a longstanding cultural and religious connection with Lord Ram.
According to Mukesh, that means the visual spectacle should not become more important than the traditional dignity associated with the character.
Ramayana Has A Massive Scale
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is being mounted on an exceptionally large scale.
Producer Namit Malhotra has previously spoken about a reported combined budget of around ₹4,000 crore for the two-part film, describing the project as an attempt to present the Indian epic to audiences around the world.
The production uses extensive visual effects and international technical talent, with the makers aiming to create a large-scale cinematic interpretation of the epic.
The first instalment is planned for release around Diwali 2026, while the second part is scheduled for Diwali 2027.
Ranbir Kapoor Plays Lord Ram
Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Ram in the film, while Sai Pallavi portrays Sita and Yash plays Ravana.
The ensemble cast also includes Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh and Vivek Oberoi in important roles.
The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, whose previous work includes Dangal and Chhichhore.
Ramayana’s Global Ambition
The makers have positioned Ramayana as a global cinematic project rather than a conventional Hindi-language mythology film.
Its reported scale, international technical collaboration and extensive VFX are central to the production. The team has also planned a two-part structure to accommodate the epic’s expansive story.
That ambition has naturally made the trailer a major talking point even before the film’s theatrical release.
Different Views On A Modern Ramayana
The discussion surrounding Mukesh Khanna’s comments ultimately reflects a larger question about how ancient epics should be adapted for contemporary cinema.
The filmmakers appear to be pursuing a large-scale visual interpretation, while Mukesh has focused on whether the action and VFX-heavy presentation preserve the traditional qualities associated with Lord Ram.
Neither the trailer nor Mukesh’s comments establish how the complete film will ultimately present the character. The audience will see the full interpretation when Ramayana reaches theatres.
When Will Ramayana Release?
The first instalment, officially titled ** Ramayana: Rise of a Legend **, is scheduled for an international theatrical release on November 6, 2026, with its Indian release planned around Diwali. The second part is expected in 2027.
For now, Mukesh Khanna’s remarks have added another layer to the conversation around one of the most closely watched Indian films of 2026.
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