Mumbai: Yash, who will be playing Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’, recently spoke about the film’s scale, vision and global appeal, stating that the film aims to resonate with audiences beyond India.
The film’s first look, titled the ‘Rama glimpse,’ was unveiled globally earlier this month and received a mixed response.
While many praised its visual scale and effects, some viewers criticised the design of the asuras for appearing overly westernised.
Addressing criticism over its visual style, during an appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, the actor said the makers have consciously shaped the project to feel familiar to western viewers while retaining the essence of the epic.
“Since we have global ambitions, we need to make it familiar to a Western audience as well,” Yash explained.
Speaking about his portrayal, Yash said he aimed to bring depth and relatability to Ravana’s character.
“I have tried to internalise the essence of Ravana and make him as human as possible at times. It’s important for people to relate to him,” he was quoted as saying by Reuters.
The film is the latest cinematic adaptation of the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, traditionally attributed to Valmiki.
It follows the journey of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, played by Ranbir Kapoor, and his battle against the asura king Ravana, portrayed by Yash, after the abduction of Sita, played by Sai Pallavi.
Made on a reported budget of up to $500 million, ‘Ramayana’ is set to become one of the most expensive film projects ever made, and the costliest in Indian cinema.
Producer Namit Malhotra revealed that the film aims to blend fantasy and human drama, drawing inspiration from global epics like ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Gladiator’.
“It will promise a very different experience, unlike anything that traditional Indian movies offer or even Hollywood, for that matter. It’s meant for the world, and it’s got the best of the East and the best of the West coming together to make it happen,” he was quoted as saying by the Reuters.
The film will be released in two parts – ‘Ramayana: Part One’ is scheduled for a global release on November 8, while the second instalment is expected to hit theatres in 2027.
