Mukesh Chhabra on casting Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama for Ramayana: 'Uske chehre pe calmness hai'

Ranbir Kapoor, one of the most versatile actors of his generation in Bollywood, is all set to take on the iconic role of Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari's highly-anticipated film Ramayana. Known for his stellar performances in films like Rockstar, Sanju, Barfi and Tamasha, Ranbir's portrayal of Lord Ram is eagerly awaited by fans and critics alike.

Recently, casting director Mukesh Chhabra opened up about Ranbir's casting in the two-part epic saga, highlighting the actor's calm demeanor as a key factor in the decision.

During an appearance on The Ranveer Show podcast, Mukesh Chhabra shared insights into why Ranbir Kapoor was the perfect choice for the role of Lord Rama. "Uske chehre pe calmness hai, woh toh chahiye thi na... Nitesh ne bahot pehle hi soch lia tha unko. Ye bahot sahi decision hai. Wo aapko maloom chalega film aane ke baad," Chhabra said, emphasizing Ranbir's innate calmness, which was crucial for the character.

Mukesh Chhabra has a long history of collaboration with Ranbir Kapoor, having worked together on projects like Tamasha, Rockstar, Bombay Velvet, Sanju, and Brahmastra. Reflecting on their partnership, Chhabra praised Ranbir's unparalleled acting skills, noting that the actor remains unfazed by the ups and downs of box office success, focusing instead on delivering powerful performances.

Discussing the casting process for Ramayana, Mukesh Chhabra emphasized that such a monumental project requires a genuine and thoughtful approach. "Casting for films like Ramayana cannot be calculated or manipulated. You have to be honest in your approach when choosing actors for roles like these," he explained.

Mukesh Chhabra also mentioned that the vibe of an actor must align with the essence of the film, ensuring that the portrayal is both authentic and impactful. The casting director hinted that the casting for Ramayana: Part Two is already in the works.

He also revealed that in projects of this scale, it is not uncommon to select big-name actors for character roles, regardless of their off-screen persona.

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Ramayana is shaping up to be a major cinematic event, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Raavan, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. In addition to the two parts of the epic, a Hanuman spin-off is reportedly in development, potentially serving as the third installment in the saga.