Ramayana: Sunil Lahri says Ranbir Kapoor lacks Arun Govil’s ‘patience, calm, innocence’: ‘He suits more for Laxman or Bharat’

The teaser of Ramayana has sparked divided reactions, and now Sunil Lahri has weighed in with a critical take on Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Ram.In an interview with DNA, Sunil Lahri admitted that while Ranbir’s look works to an extent, it lacks a certain quality associated with the character.“Ranbir looks ok, but the innocence is a little less. The patience, calm, and innocence Arun Govil had are missing here. But I’m sure he’ll justify the role with his acting,” he said. Sunil also addressed the ongoing conversation around Ranbir’s recent on-screen image, particularly after Animal.“He looks a little harsh; he suits more for Laxman or Bharat. For such a role, it’s always better to cast a fresh face. A new actor, with no image or controversy, is always an ideal match,” he added.Interestingly, Dipika Chikhlia, who played Sita in Ramayan, had a contrasting reaction.“I watched the teaser and it’s very grand. Bahut rich lag raha hai. Unhone bahut achhe se banaya hai. So now I’m awaiting the film and it’s looking very beautiful, there’s no doubt about it,” she told India Today. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita. Yash will be seen as Ravana, while Sunny Deol and Ravie Dubey play Hanuman and Lakshman, respectively.The ensemble also includes Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Kunal Kapoor, Adinath Kothare, Sheeba Chaddha and Indira Krishnan.Ramayana: Part I is slated for a Diwali release this year, with the second installment expected to hit theatres on Diwali 2027.