"He has to crush his earlier performances."
Sunil Lahri expressed his doubts over the casting of Ranbir Kapoor in Ramayan.
Ranbir is set to portray the central character of Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s anticipated project.
Meanwhile, Sunil played Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar’s classic television series Ramayan (1987–1988).
Sunil wondered whether the audience would accept Ranbir Kapoor as Ram soon after Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal (2023).
The veteran actor stated: “From the poster, I liked [Ranbir]’s look. It’s very nice and since he’s so smart, he will look perfect in that role.
“But, I don’t know how much people will accept him as Ram.
“I feel that you should take someone that has no image or baggage. It works better.
“No doubt Ranbir is a great actor with a big legacy of his family and work he has done.
“I’m sure he will do justice, but again, it is the perception of people that you can’t change.
“He has to crush his earlier performances and come out with this.
“And especially, after doing something like Animal recently, it will be very difficult for people to see him in such an opposite role as Ram.”
Though a blockbuster at the box office, Animal was criticised for its alleged misogyny and toxic masculinity.
Nitesh Tiwari’s adaptation of the Indian epic will also star Sai Pallavi as Sita.
Addressing her casting, Sunil continued: “I don’t know how she is as an actress. I have never seen any of her work.
“But, looks wise, I am honestly not very convinced.
“In my mind, Sita has a very beautiful and perfect-looking face, and I don’t think Sai’s face has that perfection.
“It should be extraordinary. I don’t know how they are going to make this actress look that attractive that Ravan would fall for her.”
Arun Govil, who played Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, will also be seen as Ranbir Kapoor’s onscreen father Dashrath.
Divulging this, Sunil added: “He is crushing his own personality.
“I really respect Arun, he is like an elder brother to me.
“If something like that was offered to me, I wouldn’t have done that.”
“For that matter, I wouldn’t have said yes to any other role either.”
Nitesh Tiwari’s film is also set to feature Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Sunny Deol as Hanuman.
Along with Ramayan, Ranbir Kapoor is also set to star in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War.
The film will feature his wife Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal.
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