Sadhguru Defends Ranbir Kapoor Amid ‘Ramayana’ Debate: Calls Unrealistic Expectations Unfair
Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has spoken out about the growing pressure on actor Ranbir Kapoor, who is set to play Lord Rama in filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming epic, Ramayana.
In a candid conversation with producer Namit Malhotra on the Sadhguru and World of Ramayana YouTube channel, Sadhguru reflected on the immense expectations placed upon actors portraying revered mythological figures.
During the discussion, Sadhguru pointed out that while playing a divine role is a rare and transformative opportunity for any actor, it also comes with an “unrealistic burden” of public sentiment.
“If they have sense, they should become. It’s an opportunity to play Rama, so you’d better transform yourself. But there will always be unrealistic expectations,” he said.
Drawing parallels from cinema legend N.T. Rama Rao, who was once worshipped for his portrayals of Lord Krishna, Sadhguru remarked that audience devotion can blur the line between faith and performance.
“N.T. Rama Rao was seen as Krishna because he played him in 15–16 movies. People put up huge cutouts of him with a flute and even voted him into power. That kind of reverence is beautiful but also unfair — because, at the end of the day, acting is still a profession,” he explained.
When Namit Malhotra noted that some viewers have criticized Ranbir’s casting based on his earlier film roles, Sadhguru defended the actor, calling such judgments “unjust.”
“It’s not fair to judge him because of what he’s done in previous films. Tomorrow, he might even play Ravana — that’s what a professional actor does. Still, it’s important for both the actor and the director to embody a little of Rama’s grace while telling this story,” Sadhguru said.
The conversation offered a balanced perspective on the thin line between spirituality and cinematic storytelling, urging audiences to appreciate both devotion and creative expression.
About the Film
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana reimagines sage Valmiki’s ancient epic for the big screen. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman.
The ensemble cast also includes Vivek Oberoi, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal, Arun Govil, Kunal Kapoor, and Sheeba Chadha.
The first look of Ramayana was unveiled on July 3, 2025, with the film’s first instalment — Ramayana: Part 1 — scheduled for release during Diwali 2026.
