New Delhi, April 1 Actor Ranbir Kapoor says his first reaction when he was offered the role of Lord Ram in the upcoming mythological epic "Ramayana" was one of self-doubt, but becoming a father helped turn that hesitation into a sense of purpose.
Speaking at a special IMAX teaser screening of the film in New York, Ranbir said the offer came about four years ago and left him feeling unprepared.
"I remember when Namit offered me this role about four years back, my immediate reaction was: 'I am not good enough.' I felt I wouldn't be able to do full justice. But that fear quickly turned into gratitude because opportunities like this were something I truly needed in my life," he said, according to videos shared by fans on social media.
The actor said his personal life and the role became intertwined in an unexpected way.
"There was a period when I needed to change my lifestyle. I had just become a father for the first time. The sweet coincidence of playing Lord Ram and becoming a father became a turning point in my life," said Ranbir, who welcomed his first child, daughter Raha, with Alia Bhatt in November 2022.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, "Ramayana" is a two-part live-action saga set 5,000 years ago. It also stars Yash as Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lord Lakshman.
The much-anticipated movie is produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and DNEG, in association with Yash's Monster Mind Creations.
On his preparation for the role, Ranbir said it began with revisiting Ramanand Sagar's iconic television adaptation of the epic.
"It is so deeply ingrained in our subconscious and rooted in us that we feel immense pride in Lord Rama's journey. When I got the opportunity to portray him, I knew the preparation had to go beyond the physical; it had to be emotional and spiritual. One has to be truthful to the character because he is loved by billions across centuries and will continue to be long after we are gone," he said.
Ranbir said the weight of portraying a figure of such cultural and spiritual significance was not lost on him.
"The responsibility is something I take very seriously. I have immense love and respect for this role and for the story of Ramayana. When that conviction is in place, everything else falls into place," he said.
The first part of "Ramayana" is scheduled for a worldwide release during Diwali 2026, with the second part following in Diwali 2027.