Ramanand Sagar’s Son Moti Sagar Backs Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Urges Fans Not to Compare Ramayana With TV Classic
The conversation around Ramayana continues to gain momentum, and now Moti Sagar has weighed in on the much-discussed teaser and casting choices.
Reacting to the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Moti Sagar expressed confidence in the actor’s abilities while also calling for patience from audiences.
‘Ranbir Kapoor is a class actor’
Speaking about the teaser, Moti Sagar praised Ranbir Kapoor, highlighting his depth as a performer.
“He is such a class actor and brings so much depth to his roles. You cannot judge anything from just the teaser. He must have gone very deep into this character,” he said, adding that he expects the film to deliver something special once it releases in full.
‘Don’t compare it with the TV Ramayan’
Moti Sagar also addressed the inevitable comparisons with the iconic television series Ramayan, created by his father Ramanand Sagar.
He pointed out the fundamental difference in format and scale.
“Our Ramayan had 78 episodes, each running 30–40 minutes. A film will only be three to four hours long. Naturally, there will be differences, as a show allows much more detail,” he explained.
A cultural legacy vs a modern spectacle
The original Ramayan (1987–1988), based on Valmiki’s Ramayana and Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas, remains one of India’s most celebrated television shows. Featuring Arun Govil as Lord Rama, Dipika Chikhlia as Sita, Sunil Lahri as Lakshman, and Arvind Trivedi as Ravana, the series became a cultural phenomenon and continues to hold immense emotional value for audiences.
About Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and backed by Namit Malhotra under Prime Focus Studios, in association with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, Ramayana is among the most ambitious Indian films ever mounted.
Reportedly made on a staggering ₹4,000 crore budget, the film features a star-studded cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman.
The teaser, first showcased internationally before its India release, has garnered massive attention. While some viewers praised its scale and ambition, others raised concerns over certain visual effects.
Release plan
The film is planned as a two-part epic, with the first instalment scheduled for Diwali 2026 and the second for Diwali 2027.
Final take
Moti Sagar’s remarks strike a balanced note acknowledging the legacy of the original Ramayan while encouraging audiences to approach the new film with fresh expectations.
