Shiv Sagar reviews Ramayana trailer: ‘Pleasantly surprised,’ but ‘casting of Lord Ram…’ | Exclusive
Now, in an exclusive conversation with News9 Digital, Shiv Sagar, grandson of legendary filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the trailer and praised its visual scale, performances, and global ambition. However, he also shared his only reservation about the film is the casting of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram.
Shiv Sagar on Ramayana trailer
Shiv Sagar, whose father Prem Sagar directed Kakbhushundi Ramayan, said, “I watched the first look of Namit Malhotra’s with a great deal of curiosity, especially because my family has such a deep connection with this epic. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. What struck me immediately was the overall visual presentation. The latest glimpse looks far more polished than what we had seen earlier. The visual effects appear much stronger, and the scale of the film is unmistakably grand. It doesn’t feel like a project made only for Indian audiences—it clearly has the ambition to present the Ramayana on a global platform.”
‘Yash makes commanding Ravana’
Sagar heaped praise on Yash and said, “Yash makes a commanding Ravana. He has the intensity and screen presence the role demands, and the glimpse of Shurpanakha entering on a magnificent lion-inspired chariot was one of the highlights for me. It instantly gives Lanka a majestic identity and adds a fresh cinematic dimension to the story.”
Sai Pallavi as Sita
He further praised Sai Pallavi’s portrayal as Sita and called it a “graceful impression”. “Sai Pallavi leaves a graceful impression as Sita. She brings an understated elegance and calmness that seem well suited to the character, and I look forward to seeing more of her performance,” he told us.
Shiv Sagar on Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram
Talking about Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Shiv Sagar said, “If there is one point I would mention, it is the casting of Lord Ram. Traditionally, mythological films and television series have often introduced new or lesser-known actors in such divine roles, allowing audiences to accept the character without preconceived notions. Ranbir Kapoor is undoubtedly one of our finest actors, but he also carries a very recognisable screen persona, especially after recent films like Animal. Some viewers may initially find it difficult to separate the actor from the character. That said, great performances have a way of changing perceptions, and I sincerely hope audiences see only Lord Ram when they watch the film.”
Talking about Arun Govil as King Dashrath, he said, “I was particularly delighted to see Arun Govil ji portraying Maharaja Dashrath. For millions of people, he will always be associated with Ramayan, and his presence in this film feels like a respectful nod to that legacy. It beautifully connects the timeless television adaptation created by my grandfather, Shri Ramanand Sagar, with a new generation’s interpretation of the epic.”
He concluded by saying, “Overall, I believe this is an ambitious and exciting project. The vision, production values, and scale are impressive, and I genuinely hope it finds success not just in India but across the world. The Ramayana is a universal story. Its themes of righteousness, sacrifice, devotion, courage, and the triumph of good over evil transcend language and culture. If this film helps introduce Indian mythology to new international audiences and encourages more large-scale adaptations of our epics and historical stories, it will be a landmark achievement for Indian cinema. From everything we’ve seen so far, the filmmakers appear to be moving in exactly that direction.”
He added, “I would like to extend my best wishes to Namit Malhotra, director Nitesh Tiwari, Yash, Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Arun Govil ji, and the entire cast and crew. Bringing a story of this magnitude to the screen is a tremendous responsibility, and I sincerely hope their hard work receives the appreciation it deserves.”
He continued, “For those who may not know me, I am the grandson of Shri Ramanand Sagar, and my father was Shri Prem Sagar. Watching a new generation of filmmakers reinterpret the Ramayana with such ambition is both heartening and inspiring. I wish the entire team every success and hope this film carries the timeless message of the epic to audiences around the world.”
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About Ramayana
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the film is scheduled to release during Diwali 2026. The second part of the film will be released during Diwali 2027.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey, Vivek Oberoi, Sunny Deol, Lara Dutta, Arun Govil, Rakul Preet Singh, Kajal Aggarwal, and Anupam Kher, among others.