Yash on Playing Ravana in Ramayana; Extra Pressure from Iconic Portrayals

On a sunny weekend in San Diego, the promotional buzz for Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious film adaptation of the Ramayana kicked off at Comic Con. The event featured a panel discussion and a handful of exclusive interviews, where the cast and crew—including star Yash, who is set to portray the infamous Ravana—shared their insights on the project. The gathering was a strategic move to build anticipation among North American audiences ahead of the film’s theatrical release this November.

Yash, who has already made a name for himself in Hindi cinema, spoke candidly about the challenges of stepping into a role that has been immortalised by countless performers over the decades. He recalled how the Ramayana story was a staple of his childhood, told by his grandfather, and how the character of Ravana has been rendered in a variety of ways by actors such as the legendary Arvind Trivedi in the 1980s and Telugu icon NTR in the 1960s. “It’s a story that everyone knows,” Yash said. “When you’re playing a character that people already have a mental image of, it adds an extra layer of pressure.”

Despite the weight of expectation, Yash expressed confidence that the film’s director and writers had given him the creative freedom to explore a fresh take on the demon king. He added, “I focused on the basics of what drives a character like Ravana and tried to bring a new dimension to him.” The actor’s approach was to honour the mythic essence while offering a nuanced performance that would resonate with contemporary audiences.

The San Diego Comic Con appearance was intended to culminate in the global launch of the Ramayana trailer. However, producer Namit Malhotra announced that the release had been postponed indefinitely after securing a distribution deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment. In a social‑media post, Malhotra revealed that the partnership would allow the film to reach a worldwide audience, and that the trailer would be unveiled at a later date.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the two‑part epic will feature Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama alongside Yash in the role of Ravana. With the first installment slated for theatrical release this November, the film promises to blend traditional storytelling with modern cinematic techniques, aiming to bring the ancient epic to a new generation of viewers.