The upcoming film “Ramayana,” directed by Nitesh Tiwari, has been generating significant buzz, particularly with the casting of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram. However, veteran actor Sunil Lahri, known for his portrayal of Laxman in the original “Ramayan,” has expressed his doubts about Ranbir’s suitability for the role.
Sunil Lahri’s Perspective for Ranbir Kapoor
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Lahri shared his views on the casting of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram. He acknowledged that Ranbir’s look in the film’s poster is impressive, and his smart appearance would suit the role. However, Lahri expressed his concerns about the audience’s acceptance of Ranbir in such a revered and pious character.
“From the poster, I liked his look. It’s very nice, and since he’s so smart, he will look perfect in that role. But I don’t know how much people will accept him as Ram,” Lahri said.
The veteran actor explained that he believes it would be better to choose an actor without any preconceived image or baggage. While he acknowledged Ranbir’s talent and family legacy, Lahri pointed out that the actor would need to surpass his previous performances and excel in portraying the virtuous Lord Ram, especially considering his recent role in “Animal.”
Concerns about Sai Pallavi’s Casting as Sita
Sunil Lahri also expressed his reservations about the casting of Sai Pallavi as Sita, stating that he is not entirely convinced by her looks for the role. He believes that Sita should have a very beautiful and flawless face, and he is unsure if Sai Pallavi’s features will be able to capture the extraordinary and out-of-this-world essence of the goddess.
“In my mind, Sita has a very beautiful and perfect looking face, and I don’t think Sai’s face has that perfection,” Lahri said. “In Indian mindsets, all the Devis are out of this world, it should be extraordinary. I don’t know how they are going to make this actress look that attractive that Raavan would fall for her.”
Arun Govil’s Casting as Dashrath
Lahri also expressed his dissatisfaction with the casting of Arun Govil, who played the role of Lord Ram in the original “Ramayan,” as Dashrath in Tiwari’s film. Lahri felt that Govil was diminishing his own personality by taking on a supporting role, and he stated that he would not have accepted such an offer if it were presented to him.
“He is crushing his own personality. If something like that was offered to me, I wouldn’t have done that. I really respect Arun, he is like an elder brother to me. For that matter, I wouldn’t have said yes to any other role either,” Lahri said.
The Challenges of Remaking a Classic
Lahri acknowledged that remaking a classic like “Ramayana” is a challenging task, and he emphasized the importance of preserving the soul of the story. He expressed his disappointment with the recent adaptation of “Adipurush,” stating that the content and emotions were poor, and the filmmakers failed to do justice to the roles.
“The point is how convincing you can make it. To wipe those 37 years of our Ramayana and that image, somebody has to come with a stronger content and feel to do some justice to the roles,” Lahri said. “If you wish to do something different, play with the technology at hand, not with the basic story.”
Conclusion
The casting of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram in “Ramayana” has raised concerns among fans and critics alike. While Ranbir is a talented actor with a strong body of work, his previous performances and the expectations surrounding the character of Lord Ram may make it challenging for audiences to accept him in the role. The success of the film will depend on how well the cast and crew can present the story and characters in a convincing and engaging manner, while also respecting the legacy of the original “Ramayan.”