Actor Zahid Khan, set to portray Angad — the courageous Vanara prince and son of Bali — in director Nitesh Tiwari's much-anticipated mythological epic 'Ramayana', has spoken candidly about his experience sharing the sets with Ranbir Kapoor. Khan described Kapoor's conduct on set as a masterclass in collaborative filmmaking, saying the superstar's generosity left a lasting impression on him.

What Ranbir Did Behind the Camera

In a recent interaction, Zahid Khan recalled a specific moment that stood out during the shoot. 'Watching him work was a learning experience. During one scene, the camera was focused on another actor, and Ranbir sir was standing behind the camera, giving cues to help improve the performance. He didn't have to do that, but he wanted to contribute to making the scene better. That level of generosity impressed me greatly. It reminded me of how friends help each other during auditions,' Khan said.

Khan added that personal interaction with Kapoor was limited. 'Not much. We shared scenes together, and I mostly observed and learned from him,' he noted. The anecdote underscores a collaborative ethos that, according to Khan, defined the atmosphere on the 'Ramayana' sets.

Breaking Free from Typecasting

Khan also opened up about a professional anxiety that preceded his casting in 'Ramayana'. Having portrayed Ajmal Kasab — the convicted perpetrator of the 2008 Mumbai attacks — in 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata', he admitted to fearing that villainous and terrorist roles might define the rest of his career.

'Yes, I was definitely worried. That was one of the reasons I initially hesitated to accept the role. But interestingly, after 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata', I received an opportunity to work in 'Ramayana'. Instead of being offered only villainous or terrorist roles, I was cast as Angad, which was completely different. That reassured me that trained actors can play any character if they are given the opportunity,' Khan said.

The casting of Khan as Angad — a heroic, morally grounded figure from the Ramayana — represents a sharp pivot from the roles he had been associated with, and one he says has renewed his confidence in the industry's willingness to look beyond an actor's recent work.

Preparing for Angad: Physical Training and Fresh Mindset

Khan revealed that the transition between the two contrasting roles was aided by timing. The shoot for 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata' had concluded before he began work on 'Ramayana', allowing him to approach Angad with a clean slate.

'Fortunately, the shoot for 'Bharat Bhagya Vidhata' had already ended before I started working on 'Ramayana'. That made the transition easier. For Angad, we underwent physical training. We worked on movement, body language, and understanding the character's physicality. Every role requires fresh preparation. Once one character is complete, you move into the reality of the next one,' he explained.

The physical rigour involved in embodying a Vanara prince — with distinct movement patterns and body language — required dedicated preparation, Khan indicated. With 'Ramayana' among the most closely watched Indian productions in recent memory, all eyes will be on how the ensemble cast, including Kapoor and Khan, brings one of India's most revered epics to the screen.