Shiv Sagar, grandson of filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, has opened up about the casting of Nitesh Tiwari‘s upcoming ‘Ramayana’. The producer-director expressed reservations about Ranbir Kapoor taking on the role of Lord Ram in the highly anticipated two-part epic.While Shiv Sagar considers Ranbir Kapoor a talented actor, he believes the role could have been given to a performer without a strong image from previous films. He particularly cited Ranbir Kapoor’s character in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’ as a reason for his concern. As quoted by ANI, Shiv Sagar said, “Except for that one casting, I like the rest of the casting very much. Personally, I cannot accept Ranbir Kapoor as Ram after Animal. When I look at Ram ji, I feel that a fresh face should have been taken. You can take a very strong supporting cast, like Yash is looking very good, Sai Pallavi is looking very good, they don’t have that much baggage. He has a lot of baggage. That’s why we usually take a new face in our serials, so they don’t have any baggage or history.”
Shiv Sagar says Ranbir Kapoor is a good actor
Shiv Sagar stressed that his comments should not be viewed as a criticism of Ranbir Kapoor’s acting skills. He acknowledged the actor’s ability to take on different kinds of characters. The producer-director suggested that the decision to cast a major star could also have been influenced by commercial considerations. He believes Ranbir Kapoor’s popularity could help generate greater attention for the film. “We have seen Ranbir in different roles; he is a very good actor. Personally, I don’t have anything against him. I think they must have taken him for the project because they want a marketing push, and maybe if they didn’t take Ranbir, the film wouldn’t have been marketed so well, so that’s also something to think about, but I personally believe that for such characters, it’s better to take a new face,” he elaborated.
‘Animal’ remains a concern
Shiv Sagar further explained why Ranbir Kapoor’s previous work matters when audiences see him as Lord Ram. He pointed to the strong emotional and cultural connection many Indians have with the characters of the Ramayana. “Because after Ramayan, will he be accepted again in a film like Animal? Especially when it comes to Ram ji and Ramayan, people are a bit more touchy and emotional, and this is not mythology. In the West, we call it mythology; even in India, it is called mythology, but it is our history. People worship them every day; he (Ram) is our history,” he added. Shiv Sagar’s views also carry significance because of his family’s connection to the Ramayana. His grandfather, Ramanand Sagar, created the hugely popular television series ‘Ramayan’.
Yash and Sai Pallavi receive praise
While questioning Ranbir Kapoor’s casting, Shiv Sagar expressed a positive view of several other choices in ‘Ramayana’. He praised Yash and Sai Pallavi. Yash will portray Ravana, while Sai Pallavi has been cast as Goddess Sita. Shiv Sagar believes both actors have less baggage from their previous roles, which could help audiences connect with their respective characters. The film also features Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lord Lakshman, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Arun Govil as King Dashrath. Arun Govil’s casting has attracted particular attention because he previously played Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s television series ‘Ramayan’. His involvement creates another link between the classic television adaptation and Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film.
Shiv Sagar says audience will have final say
Despite his reservations, Shiv Sagar acknowledged that the response from viewers will ultimately determine whether the casting and creative choices work. He also expressed criticism over some of the costumes and casting decisions. However, he maintained that the audience’s reaction would be the most important factor once the film reaches theatres. “In reality, the public is the king, and whatever the public says will be the final verdict. I didn’t like the casting and costumes of some parts; that could have been better,” said Shiv Sagar.‘Ramayana: Part 1’ is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 6, 2026. Nitesh Tiwari’s film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana.
