Kunal Kapoor, who plays Indra Dev in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’, recently opened up about being part of one of the most ambitious films to emerge from the Indian film industry. The actor also addressed the criticism surrounding certain creative choices, including the film’s visuals and costumes, saying he prefers to focus on his work rather than be swayed by every reaction on social media.
Kunal Kapoor on what makes ‘Ramayana’ different
While the story of the ‘Ramayana’ is familiar to audiences across generations, Kunal Kapoor believes Nitesh Tiwari’s adaptation will offer viewers a different cinematic experience.Speaking to NDTV, the actor explained that the makers could not significantly alter a story that audiences have known since childhood. However, he said the film’s approach to its presentation, including its visuals, action and music, is what makes it distinctive.Kunal said, “Well, look, the thing with when you’re making the Ramayana is that everybody knows the story. And it’s not like you can do anything to change that story because people have seen many, many retellings of the Ramayana. So, we’ve heard stories of it since childhood. So, it’s such an integral part of us, the story, that there’s nothing much that you can do with the story. But what I find very, very exciting about this particular film is how we’ve taken the same story, but just the experience of it is completely new. Whether the way it’s been shot, whether it’s the action, or whether it’s the music. So you go in knowing the story, but I can assure you that the experience will be very different from anything you’ve experienced before.”According to Kunal, the familiarity of the source material is therefore not a limitation but an opportunity to create a new experience through filmmaking and presentation.
Kunal Kapoor on the online criticism surrounding ‘Ramayana’
Kunal also addressed the criticism and debates surrounding ‘Ramayana’, particularly conversations online about its visuals, costumes and other creative decisions.The actor said he does not spend too much time following the criticism on social media. While he acknowledged that some opinions come from people who understand the craft of filmmaking or genuinely care about the story, he pointed out that not every online reaction necessarily comes from the same place.Kunal said, “Honestly, I don’t spend too much time going through all the criticism and stuff because we live in a world where everybody has access to social media. Some people are people that genuinely understand the craft and the art, or they’re genuinely people from the audience that love the story and want to see the best of it. To get an opinion from them is fine. But then there are a lot of people that say things so that it goes viral, people that say things because they just want to say something that’s interesting. So you can’t really follow what everybody has to say. I think you just have to focus on what you have to do. And like I said, both Nitesh Sir and Namit Sir have put in so much passion and hard work into this that I don’t think that there’s going to be any stone that’s left unturned to make sure that this is, you know, as good as it gets.”Kunal’s comments come amid ongoing online discussions around the film’s creative choices. The actor, however, emphasised his preference for concentrating on the work and the effort being put in by director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra.
About ‘Ramayana’ release and cast
‘Ramayana’ is planned as a two-part film series, with the first instalment scheduled to release worldwide in October 2026, ahead of Diwali. The second chapter is set to follow during Diwali 2027.The ambitious adaptation features an ensemble cast, with Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, Yash and Kunal Kapoor among the actors taking on pivotal roles.With the story already deeply familiar to audiences, the film’s scale, visual treatment, action and music are expected to form a significant part of its cinematic presentation when the first instalment arrives in theatres.