Ramayana’s Lakshman Ravie Dubey on Ranbir Kapoor’s transformation into Lord Ram, contrast with Yash’s ‘Ravan’: ‘He has made many personal scarifices’

Sargun was the first to share her reaction upon learning her husband had bagged such a significant role in Tiwari’s version of Ramayana.

She said, “I’ve been with him for fourteen years, and it feels like my vanvas has finally ended. All these years, I’ve wanted him to take on a role where people could see the side of him that I see. Right now, I can’t separate him from the character. He’s such a deeply spiritual person that I believe he accepted this role as a divine calling, not just another acting opportunity.”

When asked about his own reaction, Ravie who had often avoided answering this question earlier for ethical reasons, finally shared, “I am just very grateful. This was never even in my foresight. The collaboration itself felt impossible. Ranbir [Kapoor] as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravan, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, A.R. Rahman sir composing the music, and Nitesh Tiwari directing it. It’s incredible. Something like this only happens in dreams. In reality, it’s not possible unless some divine energy is guiding you. I will never be able to repay this debt. I am immensely thankful to Nitesh Tiwari, Namit Malhotra, and Mukesh Chhabra. I will be forever indebted to them.”

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Ravie went on to share how the film has deeply influenced everyone involved. “That role changed me. I had to transform myself to do justice to it because the audience can easily tell when you are faking it. I completely altered my routine. In fact, all of us did including Ranbir Kapoor. He has sacrificed so much for this film. This feels more like a yagya. We all did everything in our power to stay true to these characters in how we behave, react, and even speak.” Previously, reports surfaced claiming Ranbir Kapoor has quit alcohol and non vegetarian food to prepare for the role of Lord Ram.

Ravie then elaborated on his earlier statement comparing the making of Ramayana to a yagya. “I have been on film sets for 25 years, and usually there’s a fair amount of chaos. But I have never seen a set run so seamlessly. Everything functions like clockwork — not a single shift gets extended, everyone is punctual, prepared, and completely surrendered to the commander of the ship, which in our case is Nitesh sir.”

When asked if working on the epic helped him understand the scripture more deeply, Ravie said, “All of us are trying to understand our scriptures better than we used to. But the thing about our puranas is that every time you read them, they reveal a different meaning — one that’s both clinical and deeply personal. You absorb the same episode in a new way each time.”

He also reflected on the cultural importance of the project. “Bringing this epic to life is truly the need of the hour,” he said. “Why did the scripture choose Namit ji? Because only he could create this kind of ecosystem.”

“It’s almost impossible to bring together such names — A.R. Rahman composing the music, Ranbir as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravan. The idea is to create a cinematic experience that connects the entire world to this story, so that the essence of Shri Ram can enter global consciousness.”

In the same conversation, Ravie also revealed that he hadn’t initially told Sargun about his casting. “I didn’t tell her for the longest time that I was part of Ramayana,” he said. “We don’t talk about work at home.” Sargun recalled: “Someone randomly came up to congratulate me once, and that’s when I realised something was up,” Sargun recalled. “Later, I read somewhere that he had joined Ramayana. Still, I couldn’t ask him about it because he hadn’t mentioned anything to me. He officially told me only on the day the team made the announcement. Until then, it was just a rumour for me too. He would never even tell me when he was going for the Ramayana shoot.”

Laughing, she added, “A couple of times, I asked the driver about the set and how things were going — that’s all.”

Ravie quipped, “She doesn’t really ask about me — she’s more curious about Ranbir Kapoor! She always wants to know how he is, how he talks, how he behaves. She’s a huge fan.”

Speaking about Ranbir, Ravie shared, “Ranbir has an incredible aura. He’s quiet, graceful, and deeply committed.” He added, “Ranbir carries a very soft energy — and I think that’s something everyone who meets him would feel.”

Talking about his co-star Yash, Ravie said, “He’s an extremely friendly person — very warm and genuine. Both of them are very different, yet equally kind-hearted.”

A surprised Sargun interjected, “I didn’t even know he had met Yash until now! He’s telling you all this — he’s never told me any of it.” She joked, “Can you imagine? I live with him!” The film is co-produced by actor Yash and producer Namit Malhotra.

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