None of us bigger than Ramayana: Yash on playing Ravana amid glorification debate

The makers of Ramayana: Rise of a Legend have released a behind-the-scenes video offering a glimpse into Yash's transformation into Ravana. The video features the actor, Ranbir Kapoor, director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra discussing the casting and the thought process behind bringing the character to the screen. The video comes at a time when Ravana's portrayal in the film has sparked debate, with some viewers questioning whether the character is being glorified in the film. There have also been concerns that presenting him as a larger-than-life figure could shift the focus away from Lord Rama.Sharing the video on social media, the makers wrote, “Witness what went into bringing RAVANA to life.” In the video, Namit Malhotra spoke about the challenge of casting Yash as Ravana, given the actor's popularity. He pointed out the contrast between Yash's massive fan following and the perception of Ravana as one of the most disliked figures in the epic.“You being Ravana, who is technically one of the most disliked characters in the country. So you've got Ravana, one of the most disliked figures, and then you have Yash, someone people are obsessed with as a superstar,” he said.Ranbir Kapoor also explained why he felt Yash was suited to the role. “Just the choice to play Ravana and represent him again in his truest form is not easy. You needed somebody larger than life, somebody with that aura and star power that Yash comes with,” he said. Yash revealed that his decision to play Ravana initially surprised his friends and family. He said many of them questioned why he wanted to take on a character who is traditionally seen as the antagonist.“As a producer, I wanted to make Ramayana because it's our story, but as an actor, I wanted to play Ravana. The only challenge was that people thought, 'Okay, you are loved by people, and if you're doing a character who is so hated, people won't be able to celebrate you or appreciate you,'” he said. However, the actor was clear about his decision. “I said, 'Yeah, but that's how the story should be. I know stardom and all these things are fine, but at the end of the day, none of us are bigger than Ramayana,'” he added.Malhotra said the film would explore the different sides of Ravana's personality. “Ravana is that celebrated evil character that the world should come and see for who he is,” he said.Director Nitesh Tiwari also spoke about the character's abilities and achievements, describing him as a great astrologer, a devotee of Lord Shiva and a formidable warrior. “Nearly immortal. What went wrong?” he asked.Yash offered his own interpretation of the conflict between Rama and Ravana. “We need to understand that he's not a straightforward villain. Rama is like the heart. Ravana is like the brain. And there is always a conflict between your mind and your heart,” he said.Ranbir praised Yash's understanding of the character, calling it a fresh and complex interpretation of Ravana.Yash also recalled his first conversations with Malhotra about the project and how wearing the costume helped him connect with the role.“The moment Namit and I started discussing it, we realised we had a similar dream, and that clicked right there. I think that was the starting point for me. Also, the moment I wore those costumes, I don't know, something about that crown. The moment I wore it, I kind of felt like I was Ravana,” he said.Tiwari, meanwhile, praised Yash's screen presence and said the actor had fully immersed himself in the role. “When he comes on screen, you cannot take your eyes off him. He's out there. He is commanding your attention. He wants your attention. He embodied Ravana to the core,” the director said.Malhotra concluded by saying that his vision for the film matched Yash's ambition. “I had a vision for Ramayana, and Yash has the ambition to do the impossible. That's where the vision met ambition in the truest sense,” he said.Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash Ramayana: Rise of a Legend stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The film is planned as a two-part epic, with the first instalment releasing in cinemas on November 5.- Ends