Cinema VinesShiv Sagar, the grandson of the legendary director and producer Ramanand Sagar, has weighed in on the much‑anticipated film adaptation of the epic Ramayana starring Ranbir Kapoor. In a recent review of the movie’s trailer, Shiv praised the visual effects and the casting of South Indian actors Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita, but expressed reservations about Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Ram.
Shiv noted that the trailer offered a clearer glimpse of the story and the special effects than the earlier teaser, which he described as “very little information.” He highlighted the reveal of Ravana, played by Yash, and lauded the way Yash and Sai Pallavi embody their mythological roles, citing their familiarity with the stories from childhood and their understanding of the characters’ mannerisms. “Overall, I really like the casting of Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita because they are from South, and these actors from South, they really understand our mythology,” Shiv said.
When addressing Kapoor’s casting, Shiv pointed out that the character of Ram is traditionally given to a fresh face, as Kapoor carries a “lot of baggage” from his previous roles, notably the film Animal. He questioned whether audiences would accept Kapoor as Ram and suggested that the visual effects were a redeeming factor. “Because typically, what we do is, we cast a fresh face for a character like Ram because Ranbir has a lot of baggage with him, especially after Animal,” Shiv remarked.
Beyond casting, Shiv praised the imaginative depiction of Ravana’s Pushpak Vimana and Surpanakha’s lion chariot, and he expressed hope that the film’s release will inspire younger viewers to engage with Indian mythology. He also acknowledged the director Nitesh Tiwari’s vision and the production team’s effort, noting that the movie’s concept was “beautifully conceptualised” by Nitish Tiwari.
The upcoming epic, produced by Namit Malhotra and slated for a Part 1 release during Diwali 2026, is reported to have a ₹4,000‑crore budget. The star‑studded cast also includes Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol, Ravie Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh and others, with music composed by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Shiv Sagar’s review, shared via a viral clip on Tooth Mountain Farms, has sparked discussion among fans and critics alike about the balance between legacy and contemporary interpretation in this high‑profile adaptation.
