The team behind Ramayana: Part 1 offered new insights into the highly anticipated mythological epic during an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con, where director Nitesh Tiwari, producer Namit Malhotra, and actors Ranbir Kapoor and Yash discussed the film.
Speaking about portraying Ravana, actor Yash said the role required him to move beyond his own beliefs and understand the emotions driving one of mythology’s most iconic antagonists.
Yash said Ravana has remained one of history’s most enduring characters, noting that his effigy continues to be burned every year during Dussehra. While he grew up viewing Ravana as the villain, he said he came to see the character as someone who believed he was justified in his actions.
The actor explained that his goal was to make Ravana feel relatable rather than one-dimensional. He added that while the physical transformation was important, the psychological preparation was what he found most rewarding as an actor.
Yash said portraying the character required setting aside personal ideologies and focusing entirely on Ravana’s emotional state and motivations. He added that the cast and crew approached the project with a strong sense of responsibility and made no compromises in bringing the story to the screen.
In a separate interview, Yash revealed that he prepared for the role by immersing himself in devotional music dedicated to Lord Shiva, noting that Ravana is traditionally regarded as one of Shiva’s greatest devotees. He said listening to the music at high volume helped him enter the character’s mindset before filming.
Director Confirms Part 1 Ends on a Cliffhanger
Director Nitesh Tiwari also confirmed that Ramayana: Part 1 will conclude with a major cliffhanger designed to build anticipation for the sequel.
Tiwari said the epic was too expansive to be told in a single film and that the team carefully chose a stopping point that would leave audiences eager to see the next chapter.
He added that the ending of the first installment is intended to naturally lead into Ramayana: Part 2, allowing the story to unfold across two films rather than compressing the narrative into one.
Ramayana: Part 1 is among the most anticipated Indian films in production, with Ranbir Kapoor portraying Lord Ram and Yash taking on the role of Ravana.
