The much-awaited mythological epic The Ramayana It finally hits theaters today, November 5, and it’s hard not to miss the excitement among fans. Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, and Yash as Ravana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, it has been one of the most anticipated cinematic projects of the year. With its stunning visuals, elaborate sets, and larger-than-life depiction of the Indian epic, the film is creating quite a buzz among moviegoers.
While the scale of the film is evident on screen, bringing the mythical characters to life also means hours of preparation for the actors, especially when it comes to their elaborate costumes, wigs and make-up.
Speaking to NDTV, actor Ajinkya Dev, who plays Maharishi Vishwamitra, talked about his experience shooting the film and revealed that while his outfit was relatively comfortable, the hair and beard were a different story.
Deo said, “Mostly, I was naked because I was playing Vishwamitra, a sadhu. So that was good. But the hair and beard I had to wear was quite heavy. It took an hour and a half to put on the wig and beard.”
He added that the elaborate costumes were a challenge for many other actors in the film. Recalling what he saw during the shoot, Deo explained how Ranbir Kapoor had to get used to the weight of his elaborate look as Lord Ram.
“For the rest of the guys, yes, it was a challenge. I know for a fact that for Ram, wearing the crown and the full get-up was a bit difficult. He would get up and be like, ‘Oh my God!’ It used to be overwhelming,” he said.
However, the actor pointed out that the controlled shooting environment made things quite easy for the actors. “The good thing was that everything was indoors and temperature controlled, so that was a saving grace,” he added.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravi Dubey as Laxman, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman in an ensemble cast. The supporting cast includes Arun Govil as King Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Queen Kaikai, Indira Krishnan as Queen Kaushalya, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, and Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari. Ajinkya Dev plays the role of Vishwamitra.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayan is produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash under the banner of Prime Focus Studios and Monster Mind Creations. The film also brings together Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman for its music.
The makers have planned the epic as a two-part cinematic saga. While the first installment hit the theaters today, the second part, which was earlier expected in 2027, has now been pushed to Diwali 2028, with the makers keen to give more time to the ambitious project.
Also Read: “Sai Pallavi is a good choice”: When Srinidhi Shetty reveals she auditioned for Sita The Ramayana