Nitesh Tiwari’s much awaited film The Ramayana: Part 1 was released in theaters today, November 5. Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram in the film, recently opened up about the responsibility of playing the iconic character and how much creative freedom he had in the role.

Talking to BBC Asian Network, Ranbir said, “If I am playing a character like this animal or BrahmastraThere is a certain amount of creative freedom. But here, the text was written thousands of years ago, so you try to stay true to it.”

“You have to get rid of those inner voices of fear. The thought that you’re going to please a community or someone else might be drawn into your work. You have to believe in the story, have devotion to it, and then keep your performance simple,” he added.

Discussing the challenges of the role, Ranbir said, “When you know you are playing a deity, you are expected to perform in a certain way. You become conscious of how you look, how you walk and how you carry yourself. Suddenly, you can start taking yourself very seriously.”

Speaking about whether he experienced self-doubt while playing a character admired for his strong moral values, Ranbir Kapoor admitted that he initially felt insecure about himself and questioned whether he was the right choice for the role.

“Exactly. That’s what happened to me. I was filled with fear. I wondered if I was too old for the role and if I would be able to do it justice. I had so many insecurities and questions about myself. But the opportunity was in front of me, and I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was also very cautious in my reaction to it.”

“You have to make them believable as human beings. Give them vulnerability and real emotions,” he added.

Talking about the movie, Sai Pallavi has played the role of Sita, while Yash is playing the role of Ravana.

Also read: The Ramayana Review: Spectacle Overshadows Substance in Ranbir Kapoor and Yash Film