Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Ramayana’ Transformation Takes Centre Stage as Makers Release Birthday BTS Video

Mumbai, Sep 29 : Ranbir Kapoor’s 44th birthday on September 28 brought a special update for fans of his much awaited film Ramayana, with the makers releasing a five minute behind the scenes video offering a closer look at his transformation into Lord Rama. The video also features director Nitesh Tiwari, producer Namit Malhotra and actors including Arun Govil, Sai Pallavi and Ravie Dubey discussing the actor’s casting and preparation for the ambitious adaptation.

The new material gives audiences an insight into how the production team approached a character that carries deep cultural and religious significance in India. Rather than focusing only on the visual transformation, the video explores the thought process behind bringing Lord Rama to the screen and the responsibility associated with portraying the central figure of the epic.

Ranbir, who is set to play Lord Rama, spoke about his understanding of the character and described the opportunity as a responsibility rather than simply another acting assignment. He highlighted forgiveness as one of Lord Rama’s defining strengths and said the role required him to approach the character with a deeper sense of purpose.

The actor’s comments form a major part of the birthday video, which was released as the film’s team marked his special day. The footage also focuses on the process through which Kapoor moves from his identity as a contemporary Hindi film actor into the appearance and mannerisms associated with the character.

Director Nitesh Tiwari explained that choosing an actor for Lord Rama was particularly challenging because of the emotional connection audiences have with the epic. He said the casting process involved finding someone who could connect with the qualities associated with the character rather than simply matching a physical appearance.

According to Tiwari, the makers believed Kapoor met the requirements they had established for the part. The director also emphasised that portraying Lord Rama involves attempting to capture qualities that have traditionally been associated with the character across generations.

Producer Namit Malhotra also appears in the video, discussing the decision to bring Kapoor into the project. The production has generated considerable interest because of its scale and because the story is being mounted as a major cinematic adaptation rather than a conventional contemporary drama.

Arun Govil, who became widely known for playing Lord Rama in Ramanand Sagar’s television adaptation of Ramayan, is also part of the new film. In the BTS video, Govil discusses Kapoor’s portrayal and explains why he feels the younger actor was suitable for the role.

Govil’s involvement adds another layer of interest to the project because his portrayal of Rama has remained strongly associated with the character for decades. In the new film, however, he has taken on a different part, playing King Dashrath, the father of Lord Rama.

The actor has spoken about observing Kapoor during production and said he noticed qualities that matched his own understanding of how Lord Rama should conduct himself. His comments were included in the birthday video released by the makers.

Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita, also shared her reaction to seeing Kapoor transform for the part. She recalled being struck by the change when she saw him on set in his appearance as Lord Rama. Her remarks offer a glimpse into how the transformation has been received by colleagues working alongside Kapoor.

The film brings together a large ensemble. Kapoor plays Rama, while Pallavi portrays Sita. Yash is set to appear as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. Govil plays Dashrath.

The scale of the cast reflects the broader ambition surrounding the project. Ramayana is being developed as a two-part film, allowing the makers to devote considerable screen time to the story and its characters.

The project has also attracted attention because of the combination of established actors and a large production team. Tiwari, known for films including Dangal and Chhichhore, is directing the adaptation, while Malhotra is associated with its production.

For Kapoor, the role represents a significant departure from many of the contemporary characters that have defined his career. His filmography has included romantic dramas, coming-of-age stories, crime films and action-oriented projects. Playing Rama places him in a very different performance space, requiring a more restrained and symbolic portrayal.

The birthday video therefore serves two purposes: it celebrates Kapoor while also giving viewers a glimpse into the larger filmmaking process. Instead of releasing only promotional images, the makers have used the occasion to explain their approach to the character.

The footage also draws attention to the preparation taking place behind the scenes. The physical appearance of Rama is only one part of the process, with the filmmakers also discussing the importance of mannerisms, expressions and overall screen presence.

The film’s announcement and subsequent updates have attracted considerable discussion among moviegoers. The casting of Kapoor as Rama has received varied reactions online, with some viewers welcoming the choice and others debating how a new actor should approach a role that has been portrayed numerous times in Indian cinema and television. The Indian Express noted that the casting had prompted mixed reactions since the announcement.

The latest BTS material shifts the conversation toward the filmmaking process and the intentions of those involved. By featuring comments from the director, producer and principal cast, the video provides a broader explanation of why Kapoor was selected and how the team is approaching the role.

For audiences waiting for more material from the film, the birthday release provides one of the clearest looks yet at Kapoor in character. It also indicates how seriously the production is treating the transformation of its lead actor.

As work on the two-part project continues, attention is likely to remain focused on the cast, visual presentation and interpretation of the epic. The makers have so far used selected promotional material to introduce the scale and characters of the production while keeping much of the film under wraps.

The latest video adds another piece to that campaign, placing Kapoor’s transformation at the centre of the update while allowing the people involved with the project to explain their creative choices.

With Kapoor now formally introduced to audiences in his appearance as Rama, expectations surrounding the film have entered another phase. The birthday release has given fans a behind the scenes look at the actor’s preparation while also highlighting the wider team working to bring the epic to the screen.