Casting director Mukesh Chhabra recently spoke about his involvement in the much-awaited mythological epic Ramayana. While sharing some behind-the-scenes insights into the casting process, he also addressed a popular question about who chose Ranbir Kapoor for the role of Lord Rama.
Casting for Ramayana
When asked about his experience casting characters for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, Mukesh told Bollywood Bubble that the challenge was to show a clear difference between the faces representing Lord Rama’s world and the other world. He aimed to capture distinct qualities in the actors’ appearances to reflect the nature of each world. Additionally, he noted that the actors chosen for Rama’s world spoke Hindi very well, matching the tone and essence required for that realm.
He further explained that the casting brief was very clear about the characters’ expressions. For example, Lakshman and Bharat were meant to have a calm demeanor, while other characters were expected to show more anger or emotion. This detailed character guidance helped shape the casting decisions.
Ranbir Kapoor’s role as Lord Rama
Mukesh clarified that he was not involved in casting Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, as that decision had been made before his involvement. He noted that Ramayana is a huge project requiring a major star, but he was part of other casting discussions for the film.
Aspires to win Oscar
Mukesh Chhabra expressed his hope that Ramayana could win an Oscar, impressed by the film’s large-scale collaboration. He mentioned that he is increasingly amazed by the project and prays for divine blessings to make such a magical achievement possible, believing that with God’s grace, anything can happen.
About Ramayana
Ramayana is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated films, produced by Namit Malhotra and featuring stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash. With its grand scale and star-studded cast, the movie aims to bring India’s greatest and most sacred mythological epic to life in a captivating way, promising a cinematic spectacle unlike anything seen before. Filming is underway on massive sets in the city, with the project planned as a two-part series. The first installment is scheduled for release during Diwali 2026, followed by the second part in Diwali 2027.