Ramayana: Arun Govil Reacts To Ranbir Playing Lord Ram; Says 'My Performance As Rama Became The Touchstone'

Anticipation is growing for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The film is slated for a Diwali 2026 release and is produced by Namit Malhotra. Ramayana also gives Ranbir Kapoor a second role, as the avatar Lord Parshurama, adding further interest.

Veteran actor Arun Govil, associated for decades with Lord Rama due to Ramanand Sagar's television series Ramayan, returns to the epic universe in a new way. In Tiwari’s adaptation, Arun Govil plays King Dasharath, father of Lord Rama. The casting creates a bridge between the television classic and the forthcoming big-screen interpretation.

Ramayana Ranbir Kapoor double role and spiritual preparation

Ranbir Kapoor recently discussed handling two avatars of Lord Vishnu in Ramayana. Speaking with Collider at the film’s teaser launch in Los Angeles, Ranbir Kapoor confirmed portraying both Lord Rama and Lord Parshurama. Ranbir Kapoor explained the mythology behind the roles, saying, "Lord Vishnu had different avatars. Lord Rama was an avatar, and Lord Parshurama was an avatar before Lord Rama."

Ranbir Kapoor also described the preparation required for the dual characters. Ranbir Kapoor said, "Just to get the opportunity, you know, how I got to play Lord Rama, to also play Lord Parshurama was fantastic. I think as an actor, apart from body language, I think if you deeply understand the spirituality and the emotionality of the characters, I think everything starts from there. I think that's what I did the year leading up to the shoot of Ramayana, to understand who these people and characters are, what they stand for and what their motives are."

Ramayana Ranbir Kapoor link to Arun Govil’s classic Ramayan

Arun Govil revealed that joining Ramayana was not an immediate decision. During a conversation with Variety India, Arun Govil said there were early reservations about accepting King Dasharath. "Yes, in Ramayana, I'm playing King Dashrath, Lord Rama's father. Had I felt it wasn't right, I would not have done it. To be honest, initially, I didn't want to do this role. But Nitesh Tiwari, the director, was insistent. They wanted some connect between our Ramayan and this Ramayana."

That wish for continuity taps into Arun Govil’s long-standing image as Lord Rama for television audiences. Arun Govil’s portrayal in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan still runs on various channels. For many viewers, Arun Govil’s face remains strongly linked with devotional imagery of Rama in fairs, melas and stage shows across North and Central India.

Variety India also asked Arun Govil about Ranbir Kapoor stepping into the role that defined Arun Govil’s own career. Arun Govil avoided judging any performance before release, yet shared faith in Ranbir Kapoor. Arun Govil said, "As Rama, I won't be able to tell you anything about him, but he is a good actor, there is no doubt about that. He is also a fine human being. As I said earlier, every actor pursues every character in their own way. And he must have played Lord Rama in his own unique way."

The discussion then turned to the trolling Ranbir Kapoor faced when the first glimpse of Ramayana surfaced. Arun Govil suggested that long memories of his television role affect public responses. Arun Govil said, "That perhaps is also because my performance as Lord Rama became the touchstone. It is still alive in the hearts and minds of people. Nobody wants to see another Rama. You know, my Ramayan keeps playing somewhere or the other at any given time. Even today in North and Central India, whenever there are melas and tamashas and photos of Rama are sold, they have my face on them. So, for me, to talk about an actor's performance as Lord Rama doesn't feel right."

With Ramayana targeting a Diwali 2026 release, the film brings together Ranbir Kapoor in a double role, Sai Pallavi, Yash and Arun Govil under Nitesh Tiwari’s direction. The project links a widely watched television legacy with a large-scale film adaptation, while public attention now turns to how Ramayana and Ranbir Kapoor interpret the epic for current audiences.