Ramayana: After Mukesh Khanna’s criticism of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sunny Deol says...

Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra’s ambitious magnum opus Ramayana has become the talk of the industry with its stellar star cast, including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Yash as Demon King Ravana, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, and Sai Pallavi as Devi Sita. While the film has generated immense buzz, the casting choices have divided audiences, particularly regarding Ranbir and Sai Pallavi’s suitability for the iconic roles.

Must Read: Ramayana: Sunny Deol to begin shooting soon, opens up about ‘Fear and Nervousness’ in essaying Lord Hanuman

Recently, veteran actor Mukesh Khanna voiced his disapproval of Ranbir portraying Lord Rama, arguing that the role demands a more spiritually resonant presence, though he simultaneously acknowledged Ranbir’s exceptional acting talent. Amid this, Sunny Deol recently showered praises on Ranbir.

Sunny Can't Stop Praising Ranbir

During a recent interview with Zoom, Sunny Deol spoke about Ranbir Kapoor and his character portrayal of Lord Rama in Ramayana. Sunny said he thinks "It’s going to be great because he’s such a fine actor, and he always takes up a project and lives it completely."

An India Today report revealed that Sunny Deol will have under 30 minutes of screen time in Ramayana, which ends with Hanuman’s arrival and his vow to aid Lord Ram. His role will expand significantly in Ramayana: Part 2.

What Did Mukesh Khanna Say About Ranbir Kapoor?

Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna voiced significant reservations about Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Rama, particularly in terms of embodying the revered “Maryada Purushottam” (the ideal man) image.

During an interview with Galatta India, he commented on the movie’s teaser, which shows Ranbir climbing a tree and shooting an arrow. He argued, "Chhed-chhaad karoge toh phansoge. Aap Ram ko yoddha bata rahe ho, vo Maryada Purushottam the. They’re showing Lord Ram climbing trees and shooting arrows. Krishna or Arjun can do that, but Rama wouldn’t do it. If Rama proclaimed himself as a warrior, he would never ask monkeys to help him. He was enough, one man against Ravan.”

Also Read: Ramayana: Yash aka Ravana's 'Nana' shares where the epic film begins

Further, talking about Ranbir’s suitability for the role, Khanna said, "From what I can see, I don’t know if Ranbir Kapoor can pull off the Maryada Purushottam image of Ram. He’s a good actor, but he has an image chasing him, and that’s Animal. I don’t have an objection to it. He could do it. But I think agar aapne Rama ko yodha bataya, toh log accept nahi kar payenge. Iske upar gadbad ho sakti hai."