Producers of The Ramayana shared a behind-the-scenes video showing how Yash was transformed into Ravana for the film.
The video features Yash, Ranbir Kapoor, director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra talking about the character and what went into bringing him to life.
This video has come out during the ongoing debate regarding the alleged glorification of Ravana in the film. Some viewers have questioned whether the makers are giving too much importance to the antagonist and portraying him in such a way that the audience can sympathize with him, while the character of Lord Rama is left in the shadows.
Sharing the video on social media, the makers wrote, “Witness what happened in bringing Ravana to life.”
In the video, Namit Malhotra talks about the challenge of casting Yash as Ravana, given the actor’s popularity with the audience.
He said, “You have Ravana, who is technically one of the most disliked characters in the country. So you’ve got Ravana, one of the most disliked persons, and then you have Yash, who people obsess over as a superstar.”
Ranbir Kapoor also talked about why Yash was the right choice for the role.
He said, “It’s not easy to just play Ravana and portray him in his true form. You needed someone larger than life, with aura and star power.”
Yash revealed that his decision to play Ravana initially shocked even his friends and family.
He said, “None of my friends or family—everybody—was like, ‘Why do you want to play Ravana?'” As a producer, I wanted to make The Ramayana Because this is our story, but as an actor I wanted to play Ravana. The only challenge was that people thought, “Well, you’re loved by people, and if you’re doing a character that’s hated a lot, people won’t be able to celebrate you or appreciate you.”
Explaining why he still wanted to play the role, the actor added, “I said, ‘Yes, but the story has to be this way. I know stardom and all that is fine, but at the end of the day, none of us are bigger than that.’ The Ramayana.'”
Namit Malhotra said that the film will explore different aspects of Ravana’s personality. “Raavan is the famous evil character that the world should come and see for who he is,” he said.
Nitesh Tiwari also described Ravana’s many qualities, “A great astrologer, a great devotee of Shiva, a great warrior, almost immortal. What went wrong?”
Meanwhile, Yash explained how he sees the character. He said, “We need to understand that he is not an outright villain. Rama is like the heart. Ravana is like the mind. And there is always a conflict between your mind and your heart.”
Ranbir praised Yash’s interpretation of the character, saying, “The way he has played it is a fresh take, such a complex understanding of the character.”
Yash also recalled his first discussion with Namit Malhotra about the film and how dressing up as Ravana helped him connect with the role.
He said, “The moment Namit and I started discussing it, we realized we had a similar dream, and it clicked right away. I think that was the starting point for me. Also, the moment I put on that costume, I don’t know, there’s something about that crown. The moment I put it on, I felt like I was Ravana.”
Nitesh Tiwari spoke about Yash’s screen presence and understanding of his character.
He said, “When he comes on screen, you can’t take your eyes off him. He’s out there. He’s grabbing your attention. He wants your attention. He embodies Ravana to the core.”
Witness what happened in bringing Ravana to life. 👑 Book your tickets now! Experience Ramayana in cinemas worldwide, in all premium formats. https://t.co/vuGkX3FecH
– World of Ramayana (@WorldOfRamayana) November 9, 2026
Namit Malhotra wrapped up the discussion by saying, “I had a vision The RamayanaAnd Yash has the ambition to accomplish the impossible. This is where the vision met the ambition in the truest sense.”
Argument about the glory of Ravana
The depiction of Ravana in The Ramayana has become a point of discussion, with some viewers questioning whether the film is giving the character too much prominence. Social media discussions have focused on her larger-than-life presentation and are likely to present her as a complex, sympathetic figure rather than a mere adversary.
Some critics believe that it is one thing to explore Ravana’s character and background, but to present him in a way that risks legitimizing his actions. There are also concerns about whether focusing on Ravana might detract from Lord Rama’s importance in the epic.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, The Ramayana Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The film is planned as a two-part epic. The first part was released on November 5.
Also Read: Amid debate over Ramayana’s Ravana’s glory, Sushmita Mukherjee says, ‘He is only as a mirror to show us evil’