Ranbir Kapoor: Playing Lord Rama in Ramayana made me a better father to Raha
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has revealed that portraying Lord Rama in the highly anticipated cinematic epic Ramayana transformed him not just as a performer but as a person — and that the journey coincided with one of the most defining moments of his personal life: becoming a father for the first time to his daughter Raha.
Kapoor's First Reaction: Fear and Self-Doubt
Ranbir opened up about his experience on a Diwali special episode of the popular quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. He admitted his immediate instinct upon being offered the role was anxiety rather than excitement.
'Sir, when I was offered this role, I knew that this was not just a role; it was a huge responsibility. My first instinct was fear — the fear of whether I was worthy of it and whether I would be able to do it. The faith of crores of people is associated with Lord Shri Ram,' Kapoor told Bachchan.
Fear That Turned Into Gratitude
Kapoor described how his initial apprehension gradually gave way to a sense of profound gratitude. He explained that the opportunity felt like something far larger than professional growth.
'But very soon, sir, this fear turned into gratitude. At this stage in my life, at this age, I was getting the opportunity to become a good actor — forget being an actor, sir, a chance to become a good human being. During that same period, I became a father for the first time, and my daughter Raha was born. So, I believe it was a gift from God, sir, that I got the opportunity to become a better human being, to understand Ramayana more deeply, and to work with all these beautiful people,' he said.
The Role's Influence on Fatherhood
Kapoor drew a direct connection between immersing himself in the values of the Ramayana and his early days as a father. He credited the discipline of understanding Lord Rama's ideals — duty, compassion, and righteousness — as shaping his perspective during the most personally transformative phase of his life. His daughter Raha was born while he was deep in preparation for the role.
Learning From Lord Rama's Ideals
Wrapping up his candid reflection, Ranbir acknowledged the limits of aspiration while underscoring its value. 'Sir, becoming like Lord Shri Ram may not be possible, but learning something from his ideals is, I think, a big thing for all of us,' he said. The upcoming Ramayana film is among the most closely watched Bollywood productions in recent memory, given the scale of its subject matter and the casting of Kapoor in the titular role. The Diwali episode appearance marks one of his most candid public conversations about the film ahead of its release.