Sadhguru’s advice to Ranbir Kapoor: “Become Lord Rama”

Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming role as Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated Ramayana is already one of the most discussed performances in recent Indian cinema. Known for transforming completely into his characters—whether it was Sanjay Dutt in Sanju or the dark and volatile Ranvijay in Animal—Ranbir now faces the unique challenge of portraying not just a cinematic icon but a revered spiritual figure.

The expectations surrounding Ramayana go far beyond those of a typical big-budget release. The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra under Prime Focus Studios, has generated intense curiosity and debate even though it is nearly a year away from release. For many fans and devotees, Ranbir’s portrayal of Lord Rama carries cultural and emotional weight, leading to both heightened anticipation and early criticism.

Recently, the film’s producer Namit Malhotra visited the Isha Foundation and engaged in a candid conversation with spiritual leader Sadhguru about the challenges of depicting divine figures on screen. The discussion, shared on the official YouTube channel of Ramayana, touched upon the expectations actors face while taking on such mythological roles and the thin line between devotion and performance.

Namit brought up how actors portraying deities like Rama, Hanuman, or Sita are often expected by audiences to embody those divine qualities in real life. Responding to this, Sadhguru offered a mix of encouragement and realism. “If they have sense, they should become,” he said, referring to the actors preparing for Ramayana. “It’s an opportunity that you get to play the role of Rama, so you'd better transform yourself. When will you do it in your life? At the same time, there will be a certain unrealistic expectation.”

Sadhguru explained that while the demand for actors to truly ‘become’ their characters may seem extreme, it also offers a rare spiritual opportunity. Playing Lord Rama, he said, could inspire self-reflection and inner transformation for any actor willing to embrace it sincerely.

He went on to illustrate his point with the example of Telugu cinema legend Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, popularly known as N.T. Rama Rao, who played Lord Krishna and other mythological figures in numerous films during his career. “There was N.T. Rama Rao in Telugu films, who people worshipped as Krishna because he played him in some 15 or 16 movies,” Sadhguru recalled. “They put huge cutouts of him playing the flute, and he won the election outright. At one time, it was absolutely so. To some extent, it is still there.”

Drawing from that cultural phenomenon, Sadhguru reflected on how the audience’s emotional connection with mythological portrayals often extends into real life. “If you act like Rama in a movie, I expect you to have some gentleness,” he said. “But it’s unfair to the actor because, after all, it’s a profession. He’s just acting. Hope acting like Rama brings some elements of him into the actor, which will be wonderful for him.”

The conversation also touched upon the criticism Ranbir Kapoor has faced from certain quarters, with some fans questioning his suitability for the role based on his previous film choices or statements made in the past. Addressing this, Sadhguru called such judgments misplaced. “It is not a fair judgment because he acted in some way (in the past). Tomorrow, in another movie, he may act as Ravana. That is a professional actor,” he said.

However, Sadhguru acknowledged that audience sentiment remains an inseparable part of cinema, especially for a project like Ramayana. “At the same time, your movie runs because of people, not because of actors or directors. So, their expectations cannot be completely brushed aside,” he added. “It’s a very onerous expectation, but I think the actor and director making Ramayana should imbibe a bit of Ram’s quality.”

Sadhguru’s comments have since sparked wide discussion online, with many praising his balanced take that acknowledges both artistic freedom and cultural sensitivity. His advice seems particularly relevant for Ranbir Kapoor, who has often spoken about his respect for spirituality and his intent to approach the role with deep seriousness.

The scale of Ramayana itself is unlike anything attempted in Indian cinema before. The two-part epic, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, is reportedly one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. The star-studded cast includes Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman.

Part One of Ramayana is slated for a grand theatrical release on Diwali 2026, with the second part expected to arrive the following Diwali. The film promises to blend stunning visual effects with emotional storytelling, reimagining one of India’s most revered epics for a new generation of audiences.

As anticipation builds, Sadhguru’s words serve as both guidance and a reminder — that while cinema can bring mythological tales to life, the true spirit of Ramayana lies in the values it inspires, not just the visuals it recreates.