‘Turned Lord Rama into Salman Khan, Rajinikanth’: Mukesh Khanna on Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana

Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has criticized Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, expressing concern over how Lord Rama has been portrayed in the film. Khanna, known for his role as Shaktimaan, stated that Rama appears more like an action hero in the movie rather than the idealized character from the Ramayana. He was particularly critical of a scene in which Ranbir Kapoor’s Rama is shown climbing a tree and firing arrows, arguing that this portrayal contradicts the character's traditional depiction as a man of peace and virtue.

Khanna noted that he has read the Ramayana and watched many Ramleelas, and he emphasized that Rama should embody the qualities of a Maryada Purushottam, not a larger-than-life action star. Additionally, Khanna raised concerns about the extensive use of visual effects in the film, suggesting that while it might appeal to international audiences, it might not resonate as well with Indian viewers who have a deep cultural and religious connection to the epic.