Ranbir Kapoor was scared to play Lord Rama in Ramayana

Bollywood actor says fatherhood changed his mind after initially rejecting Lord Rama’s role in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana due to self-doubt

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor revealed that he initially turned down the opportunity to play Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, admitting that he felt he wasn’t ready to take on the role. However, a major turning point in his personal life — becoming a father to daughter Raha Kapoor — changed his perspective. Ranbir recently attended an event in New York alongside director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra to promote the much-anticipated mythological epic. The event took place shortly after the team unveiled the first glimpse of the film in Los Angeles.

During the conversation, the actor spoke about his initial hesitation when the role was first offered to him. “I remember when Namit offered me this part around four years ago, my instant reaction was ‘No’, I’m not fit enough, not good enough, and I won’t be able to do full justice.”

Ranbir went on to explain that the timing of the offer coincided with an important phase in his life, which made him reconsider the decision. “That fear very quickly turned into gratitude because opportunities like this were needed very much in my life. I was in a period in my life where I needed to change my life and lifestyle. I became a father for the first time. I think the sweet coincidence of playing Lord Rama and becoming a father was needed for a turning point in my life.”