Rocking Star Yash, who plays the iconic antagonist Ravana in director Nitesh Tiwari's epic two-part film 'Ramayana', has revealed the surprisingly candid conversation he had with his young son after the boy discovered his father would not be playing Lord Rama. Speaking from Bengaluru, Yash described the moment as one of the most unexpected challenges of his preparation for the role — navigating a child's sense of right and wrong against the complexity of a dramatic portrayal.

The Moment His Son Found Out

According to Yash, his son was initially stunned when he learned about the Ramayana and where his father fit into the story. 'My son knows who his father is, but now that he knows the story of the Ramayana, he was shocked. He said, "No, you're the bad guy! How can you do that?" I explained to him that we have to depict the full story for people to truly understand it,' Yash recalled.

The actor described this as a genuinely difficult moment — one that forced him to step out of his professional mindset and take on the role of a parent explaining the moral architecture of one of India's most revered epics.

The Lesson Yash Gave His Son on Rama's Path

Yash said he had to sit his son down and draw a clear line between the character's grandeur and the character's morality. He quoted himself saying: 'In this story, the central figure you must look up to is Lord Rama. Everyone should walk Rama's path. Ravana may appear grand, powerful, and imposing, but true, lasting victory in life only comes when you embody Rama's righteousness. You can cheer for me as an actor in the theatre, but do not mistake the character for the ideal.'

This distinction — between performance and identity — is one that Yash says he had not fully anticipated when he signed on to the project. The conversation underlines a recurring challenge for actors who take on mythological villains in a culture where these figures carry deep religious and social weight.

When His Son Asked If Ravana Dies

The conversation took an even more poignant turn when his son pressed further. 'Then he asked, "Do you die in the end? Do you lose?" That was hard. When I signed the project, I was thinking about giving my audience a compelling performance, but I hadn't anticipated my son's questions. Teaching him the distinction between an actor and a dramatic role was quite an experience,' Yash said.

The moment is notable for what it reveals about how mythology continues to be a living, emotionally charged framework for Indian children — not merely a historical narrative.

About the Film

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, 'Ramayana' is produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with Yash's own production banner, Monster Mind Creations. The film is a two-part epic, with the first instalment set for a worldwide theatrical release on 5 November 2026. The project is among the most anticipated Indian films of the year, bringing together one of the most beloved mythological narratives with a high-profile cast and a director known for the blockbuster Chhichhore franchise.

With its release days away, the film's cultural resonance — as Yash's own family conversation illustrates — extends well beyond the multiplex.