Nitish Bharadwaj urges Ranbir Kapoor to avoid films like 'Animal'
Synopsis
Nitish Bharadwaj — the face of Lord Krishna for a generation of Indian television viewers — has turned his 'Ramayana' trailer praise into a pointed public appeal, asking Ranbir Kapoor to leave films like 'Animal' behind and embrace roles that uphold Indian cultural heritage. It is a rare instance of one actor publicly setting a moral standard for another, timed to the biggest Bollywood epic in years.
Key Takeaways
Nitish Bharadwaj , known for playing Lord Krishna in 'Mahabharat' , urged Ranbir Kapoor to avoid films like 'Animal' on 30 July .
Bharadwaj shared the 'Ramayana' poster on Instagram and praised director Nitesh Tiwari as 'Bharat's next gift to world cinema'.
He predicted a 100% Oscar for Best Foreign Film for 'Ramayana' and welcomed Hans Zimmer 's musical collaboration.
Bharadwaj expressed hope that audiences would accept Sai Pallavi as Sita and called for traditional musical elements like Chaupaees and Mridangam in the film. 'Ramayana' is set for theatrical release on 8 November 2026 .
Actor Nitish Bharadwaj, best known for portraying Lord Krishna in the iconic television series 'Mahabharat', has publicly urged Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor to refrain from taking on films like 'Animal', asking him not to 'pollute his vaani'. The appeal came on Thursday, 30 July, as Bharadwaj reacted to the trailer of the upcoming epic 'Ramayana', in which Kapoor plays the lead.
What Bharadwaj Said
Bharadwaj took to Instagram to share the poster of 'Ramayana' and lavished praise on the film's creative team. In a lengthy caption, he called director Nitesh Tiwari 'Bharat's next gift to world cinema after Satyajit Ray and Shekhar Kapoor', and predicted the film a '100% Oscar for Best Foreign Film'. He also welcomed composer Hans Zimmer's collaboration with Indian cinema and hailed actors Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh as 'the next 2 unbeatable Dhurandhars'.
Addressing Kapoor directly, Bharadwaj wrote: 'RK, always loved you as an actor but now starts your social responsibility to uphold Bharat's heritage, values, culture and ethos. So no more ANIMAL even if the goldmine is offered to you. Plz do not pollute your Vaani anymore. Bharat has enough stories to satiate your acting prowess.'
The 'Animal' Controversy in Context
Ranbir Kapoor's 2023 film 'Animal', directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, drew sharp and polarising reactions upon release. Critics and audiences alike flagged its depictions of extreme violence and what many described as misogynist themes. The film was commercially successful but remained a flashpoint in debates around content responsibility in mainstream Hindi cinema. Bharadwaj's remarks place him among several cultural figures who have called on prominent actors to exercise greater discretion in their choice of roles.
Praise for 'Ramayana' and Sai Pallavi
Beyond his message to Kapoor, Bharadwaj expressed hope that audiences would accept Sai Pallavi in the role of Sita. He also called for the film to retain the sonic identity of the Maha-Kavya, writing: 'I can also hear Tulsidas ji's CHAUPAEES amidst Mridangam and Manjira somewhere in the film. That's the sound identity of this Maha-Kavvya in every Bharateeya's soul.' He added that he intended to watch the film at least five times 'as my respect to Nitesh's toil of making this magnum opus'.
About the 'Ramayana' Film
The trailer of 'Ramayana' was released in the early hours of Thursday, 30 July, revealing a heavily VFX-driven retelling of the Indian epic. The film is produced on a large scale and is scheduled for theatrical release on 8 November 2026. The project has already generated significant buzz, with its visual ambition and star cast drawing widespread attention ahead of its launch.
Point of View
He frames Kapoor's casting as a turning point that carries moral weight beyond box-office returns. What is notable is the implicit argument: that an actor's filmography shapes cultural values, not just personal brand. Whether Kapoor or the industry takes that seriously is another matter. The 'Animal' debate has not faded — it has simply found a new occasion.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nitish Bharadwaj urge Ranbir Kapoor to avoid films like 'Animal'?
Bharadwaj argued that Kapoor, now cast in the culturally significant role of Ram in 'Ramayana', has a social responsibility to uphold Indian heritage and values. He asked Kapoor not to 'pollute his vaani' by taking on films with content like that of 'Animal', which was criticised for alleged misogyny and graphic violence.
What did Nitish Bharadwaj say about the 'Ramayana' trailer?
Bharadwaj praised the trailer extensively, predicting a 100% Oscar for Best Foreign Film and calling director Nitesh Tiwari 'Bharat's next gift to world cinema after Satyajit Ray and Shekhar Kapoor'. He also welcomed Hans Zimmer's musical collaboration and said he planned to watch the film at least five times.
Why was Ranbir Kapoor's film 'Animal' controversial?
'Animal', directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and released in 2023, was widely criticised for its depictions of extreme violence and allegedly misogynist themes. Despite the controversy, the film was a major commercial success, making Kapoor's association with it a recurring point of cultural debate.
When is the 'Ramayana' film releasing?
The 'Ramayana' film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is scheduled for theatrical release on 8 November 2026. Its trailer was unveiled on 30 July.
Who is Sai Pallavi playing in 'Ramayana'?
Sai Pallavi is cast as Sita in 'Ramayana'. Nitish Bharadwaj expressed hope that audiences would warmly accept her in the iconic role.
