Aarya Babbar Defends Saif Ali Khan's Ravana While Questioning Yash's Look in Ramayana

In a recent discussion, actor Aarya Babbar defended Saif Ali Khan's portrayal of Ravana in Adipurush while expressing concerns about Yash's look in the upcoming Ramayana film directed by Nitesh Tiwari. Babbar emphasized the importance of a director's vision in shaping an actor's performance and critiqued the lack of innovation in Yash's character design. He also highlighted his own distinct portrayal of Ravana in the stage play Mahabali. With Ramayana set to release in 2026, Babbar's insights shed light on the evolving representations of iconic characters in Indian cinema.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 14, 2026, 10:46 IST

Aarya Babbar's Insights on Ravana's Portrayal

Actor Aarya Babbar has shared his thoughts on the changing representations of Ravana in Indian films, particularly defending Saif Ali Khan’s role in the 2023 movie Adipurush. He expressed some concerns about the visual depiction of Yash in Nitesh Tiwari’s forthcoming film, Ramayana. Currently playing Ravana in the stage production Mahabali, Babbar emphasized that an actor's portrayal is closely linked to the director's vision.

Regarding the backlash faced by Adipurush, which received criticism for its character portrayals and dialogue, Babbar asserted that the filmmaker bears the primary responsibility for these representations. He praised Saif Ali Khan for infusing a unique intensity into his character, attributing this to the director's interpretation and arguing that the actor should not be solely blamed for the film's reception.

Concerns Over Yash's Appearance in Ramayana

Critique of Yash’s Look in Ramayana

Shifting focus to the eagerly awaited Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Babbar commented on Yash's visual portrayal as the demon king. While he acknowledged that it’s too early to evaluate the actor's performance, he mentioned to Variety India that the character's look seemed to lack significant innovation. He noted that the aesthetic, especially the beard, appeared similar to Yash's look in the KGF series rather than presenting a fresh take for this new role.

In contrast, Babbar found Yash's appearance in the upcoming film Toxic to be more original. He expressed hope that the final performance in Ramayana would showcase a different aspect of the actor, especially since the project seems aimed at an international audience under Tiwari’s direction. Babbar also pointed out that his own interpretation of Ravana in Mahabali is meant to be entirely different from recent cinematic portrayals.

Production Insights for Ramayana

Production Details for Ramayana

Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of Ramayana boasts a star-studded cast, including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, alongside Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey, and Sunny Deol. The film also features performances from Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Arun Govil, and Shobana. Produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash, the project reportedly has a staggering production budget of ₹4,000 crore.

This cinematic endeavor is designed as a two-part series, with the first part set for theatrical release on November 5, 2026. As production progresses, the film continues to be a hot topic in the industry, particularly regarding its scale and the portrayal of its legendary characters.