Sadhguru Defends Ranbir Kapoor’s Casting as Lord Ram in Ramayana, Calls Backlash “Unfair”

As anticipation builds for Nitesh Tiwari’s magnum opus Ramayana, actor Ranbir Kapoor—who plays Lord Ram—has faced criticism from some social media users questioning his suitability for a “divine” role due to his past controversies.

However, spiritual leader Sadhguru has now come out in the actor’s defense. In a recent conversation with producer Namit Malhotra, Sadhguru called the backlash “unfair,” saying,

“It’s an unfair judgment of an actor because he acted in some way in the past. You can’t expect him to become Ram. Tomorrow, in another movie, he may act as Ravana.”

Malhotra brought up the issue of online criticism, to which Sadhguru responded that an actor’s craft should not be confused with their personal life or past performances.

Sadhguru also praised Yash, who plays Ravana in the film, saying, “Yash is a handsome man.” Namit agreed, adding, “He’s incredibly loved and we want to show all shades of Ravana—his devotion, his depth—which only Yash can portray.”

Ranbir Kapoor’s Transformation for the Role

Reports suggest that Ranbir has made major lifestyle changes to embody Lord Ram’s character. He has reportedly adopted a sattvic vegetarian diet, quit alcohol, and begun regular meditation and early-morning workouts to align with the spiritual nature of the role.

Post-Production and Release Timeline

According to reports, the first instalment’s edit has been locked, and the makers will now focus on VFX for nearly 300 days. Ramayana: Part One was wrapped up in June 2025, and the team aims to perfect every visual detail before release.

The two-part epic will be released worldwide —

• Ramayana: Part 1 on Diwali 2026

• Ramayana: Part 2 on Diwali 2027