In a significant nod of approval that bridges two eras of Indian storytelling, Moti Sagar, the son of legendary filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, has come out in strong support of Ranbir Kapoor’s casting as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming magnum opus, Ramayana.
The endorsement comes at a crucial time as the film’s first teaser, released on the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, sparked a whirlwind of debate across social media. While many praised the visual scale, some traditionalists questioned whether Kapoor could live up to the “divine innocence” established by Arun Govil in the 1987 television classic.
Moti Sagar, who co-directed the original Ramayan alongside his father, dismissed the early skepticism, urging audiences to look beyond the brief glimpses of the teaser.
“I expect something very good from this film,” Sagar told PTI in a recent interview. “Ranbir is one of the best actors we have today in terms of performance and emotional depth. He is a class actor who goes very deep into his characters. It is premature to judge his entire performance from a few seconds of footage.”
Sagar emphasized that Kapoor’s ability to convey complex emotions makes him an ideal choice for a role that requires both regality and vulnerability. He noted that the actor has likely done extensive groundwork to internalize the character’s essence.
One of the loudest criticisms since the teaser’s launch has been the comparison between the upcoming film and the 1987 TV series. Moti Sagar was quick to point out that comparing the two is like “comparing apples to oranges” due to their vastly different formats.
The 1987 Series: Spanned 78 episodes, each 30–40 minutes long, allowing for immense detail and slow-burn character development.
The 2026 Film: A cinematic experience condensed into a three-to-four-hour window, prioritizing a grander, more focused narrative.
“Our show became a cultural phenomenon because we had the luxury of time to explore every nuance of the epic,” Sagar explained. “The film will naturally be different, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a new interpretation for a new generation.”
Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Moti Sagar recalled the “jugaad” (creative workarounds) they used in the late 80s to create divine effects without the help of modern CGI. He shared anecdotes of using incense sticks for fog and cotton for clouds—a stark contrast to the high-budget VFX and AI-assisted visuals utilized in Tiwari’s version.
While some fans have critiqued the film’s “gaming-like” graphics, Sagar remains optimistic, focusing on the intent behind the storytelling. He reminded critics that even his father faced hurdles and skepticism, yet he remained committed to narrating the story with “utmost honesty and devotion.”
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana boasts a star-studded ensemble, featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana and Sunny Deol as Hanuman.
With Ramayana: Part I slated for a major Diwali 2026 release, the project remains the most anticipated film of the year. While original cast members like Sunil Lahri (Lakshman) have expressed slight reservations about the “harshness” of the modern look, the blessing from the Sagar family provides a powerful shield against the critics, signaling that the soul of the epic may be in safe hands. To know such latest updates tuned tellyboosters.com Thank you!
