Mahabharat star Mukesh Khanna has once again stirred up controversy, this time regarding his comments about Ranbir Kapoor. During a recent interview, Mukesh Khanna expressed his reservations about Ranbir being chosen to portray Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film Ramayana. He voiced concerns that Ranbir’s previous roles, particularly in Animal, might impact how audiences perceive him taking on the revered character of Lord Ram.
Mukesh Khanna was initially cautious when asked about Ranbir being cast as Lord Ram. He stated, “I won’t say anything about this, as I’ll be accused of commenting on everyone and everything, tarnishing my reputation. I recently commented on Jackie Shroff’s son… I speak my mind, not rudely. In a Ramayana project, comparisons with Arun Govil are inevitable,” referencing Govil’s portrayal in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan. When questioned about another actor suitable for the role, Mukesh emphasized, “Arun Govil set the gold standard. The actor playing Ram must embody the character, not resemble Raavan. Off-screen behavior influences on-screen portrayal; if you play Ram, partying and drinking are off-limits. However, it’s not my place to select who plays Ram.”
Mukesh also highlighted Prabhas’ attempt at the role, noting the lack of acceptance by the audience. Citing the importance of appearance, he urged filmmakers to be cautious with casting choices. “Despite being a prominent star, he wasn’t embraced by the audience. Not due to his acting skills, but because he didn’t resemble Ram… The current actor from the Kapoor family is a talented artist. However, his recent role in Animal highlighted his negative persona. I hope this won’t affect his portrayal,” Mukesh remarked.
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