Ranbir Kapoor Doesn't Fully Resemble Lord Ram, Says Ramlila Body; Seeks Pre-Release Screening of Ramayana

By Alice Published: Aug 03, Monday, 2026, 17:10 [IST]

The movie is now in the news as mythological epic Ramayana is being discussed (Nitesh Tiwari, who directed it). The teaser has received a lot of attention for its grand visuals, star-studded cast and epic storytelling but also has been criticized by the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh who want a pre-release screening of the movie before it gets into cinemas.

Ranbir Kapoor Doesn't Fully Resemble Lord Ram, Says Ramlila Body; Seeks Pre-Release Screening of Ramayana
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According to news channel Times Now, Shri Ramlila Mahasangh has sent a letter to director Nitesh Tiwari and the production company for the film, objecting to some elements of the portrayal of Lord Ram in the movie. Ranbir Kapoor’s looking as good as Ranbir Kapoor is as a person and his role as Lord Ram is so rooted in Indian culture and religion.

The Mahasangh has said that it is not seeking to oppose the film at all but to make sure that the portrayal of one of Hinduism’s most revered deities is sensitive. The organisation wants to see the movie before it is shown and if its concerns are voiced then the filmmakers should be able to discuss them in advance.

The letter has mentioned Ramayana as the symbol and spiritual emblem of India and India’s people in a world where all people are so connected to it. Ramlila performances have historically been important in preserving and presenting the epic, so they are relevant players in the conversations on modern adaptations.

Since its release, Ramayana has been one of the most eagerly awaited Indian film projects. The movie is managed by acclaimed filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari and is made up of an ensemble cast with Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita and Yash playing Ravana. The movie attracted wide attention as it has a large-scale production, advanced visual effects and many of the famous actors from the Indian film industry.

The new trailer has been viewed millions of times with many people saying so much about its scale, grandeur, background score and technical quality. At the same time, as in most adaptations of religious texts, discussion has been about authenticity, character representation, costume design and traditional interpretation.

As well as the strong emotional and religious connection people have with mythological epics, film adaptations of mythological epics often draw close scrutiny. And filmmakers have to strike a fine balance between cinematic creativity and faithful representation of cultural traditions. So when members of religious and cultural communities want to talk with filmmakers about the treatment of public opinion, they are often forced to do so.

Experts from the film industry say that pre-release screenings are not unusual for films based on historical or religious subjects. The screenings can be an opportunity for discussions so filmmakers can address issues and also describe their creative vision. If Ramayana is to be made available to a film with the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh’s request it is uncertain whether the makers will be able to accept it.

Since then, neither the director Nitesh Tiwari nor the production house has publicly expressed their response to the letter. The filmmakers have already said that the project will present to modern audiences the timeless epic with respect, authenticity and cinematic excellence and will tell the story in a modern filmmaking sense.

Despite all the criticisms, Ramayana has a lot of fanfare. I am so excited to see one of India’s great epics come to life on the big screen with a big production that’s all mythology and emotion and big bang.

As the release date draws closer, talk about the film will continue and from the very beginning that audience, cultural organizations, and cinema fans will be interested in how the filmmakers respond to the public demand. Whether the pre-release screening happens or not, Ramayana is one of the most talked about Indian films, which is great for the epic as it is such a huge cultural and religious event in India.

Ranbir Kapoor

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