Ranbir Kapoor, born on September 28, 1982, is a renowned Indian actor known for his versatile performances in Hindi-language films. He comes from a illustrious family of actors, being the son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, and the grandson of the legendary actor-director Raj Kapoor. Kapoor's educational background in filmmaking and method acting is impressive, having studied at the School of Visual Arts and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
Career Highlights
Kapoor's career in Bollywood has been marked by several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. He made his debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's *Saawariya* in 2007, although the film received mixed reviews, it was notable for being the first Indian film produced by a Hollywood studio, Sony Pictures Entertainment.
His breakthrough roles came with films like *Rockstar* (2011) and *Barfi!* (2012), for which he won consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Actor. The romantic comedy *Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani* (2013) further solidified his position as a leading star in Bollywood. Despite facing a series of commercial failures, Kapoor rebounded with significant success in films like *Ae Dil Hai Mushkil* (2016) and *Sanju* (2018), the latter earning him another Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
Upcoming Role in 'Ramayana'
One of the most highly anticipated projects in Kapoor's career is his portrayal of Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's adaptation of the ancient Indian epic, *Ramayana*. This film is expected to be a grand cinematic endeavor, with Kapoor set to play dual roles as Lord Ram and Maharishi Parashuram. According to sources, each character will have a distinct look, highlighting Kapoor's versatility as an actor.
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra has praised Kapoor's selection for the role, stating that Kapoor's calm and childlike innocence are crucial for the character of Lord Ram. Chhabra emphasized that Kapoor's dedication to acting, rather than the success or failure of his films, makes him an ideal choice for the role.
Casting Challenges and Secrecy
The casting process for *Ramayana* has been quite rigorous, particularly for the role of Lakshman. Several established actors turned down the offer to play Lakshman, preferring not to be in a secondary role to Kapoor. Eventually, a newcomer from the television industry was chosen for the part.
To maintain secrecy around the film, the sets have been covered from all directions, and a no-phone policy has been implemented to prevent any leaks. Despite these measures, some set pictures featuring Kapoor and his co-star Sai Pallavi have surfaced, generating significant buzz among fans.
Production and Cast
*Ramayana* is being shot as a two-part saga, with the first part reportedly completed and the film now in the post-production phase. The cast includes Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Arun Govil, who played Lord Ram in the classic TV series *Ramayan*, as King Dasharatha. Amitabh Bachchan is set to lend his voice to the character of Jatayu.
The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for his work on *Dangal*, is projected to be one of the most expensive Bollywood films, with a budget around $100 million. The extensive production scale and anticipated visual effects suggest that the post-production phase will be lengthy, with an expected release date in late 2025.
Training and Dedication
Kapoor has been dedicating significant time to preparing for his role in *Ramayana*. In a recent conversation, he revealed that he has been training for three to four hours a day for the film. This level of dedication is consistent with his approach to acting, as noted by Mukesh Chhabra, who praised Kapoor's effortless performances and his focus solely on the craft of acting.
In conclusion, Ranbir Kapoor's portrayal of Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's *Ramayana* is highly anticipated and promises to be a landmark performance in his illustrious career. With his proven track record of versatile and compelling roles, Kapoor is set to bring a new dimension to the iconic character of Lord Ram.
