Why Did Nitish Bharadwaj Change His Mind About the New Ramayana Film?

Actor's Shift in Perspective on Ramayana

Mumbai: Nitish Bharadwaj, renowned for his role as Lord Krishna in the classic 1988 TV series Mahabharat, was quick to commend the upcoming film Ramayana following its trailer launch. He even boldly predicted that the film would secure an Oscar. However, after viewing the film, Nitish's opinion took a dramatic turn, leading him to criticize the Ranbir Kapoor-led project for its portrayal of India's history and cultural heritage.

Nitish expressed his dissatisfaction with how the character of Ravana, portrayed by Yash, was depicted as a fair and socially just individual. He argued that this representation distorts the moral essence of the epic. On Instagram, he stated, “The Ramayan is not merely a tale; it is intricately woven into the civilizational and spiritual fabric of Sanatan Bharat. The characters, whether heroes or villains, embody the values and messages of this grand narrative. Their roles and significance should not be altered lightly. Mahavishnu incarnated as Ram to uphold Dharma, tradition, and establish boundaries. By portraying Ravan as a notably liberal and just figure, the film, in my opinion, shifts the moral compass of the Ramayan and undermines the essence of the avatar.” He also mentioned that he would retract his previous social media post where he had praised the film.

Initially, after watching the trailer, Nitish had expressed his admiration for the filmmakers and anticipated significant international acclaim for the film. He had remarked, “100% Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Nitesh Tiwari is Bharat's next gift to world cinema after Satyajit Rai and Shekhar Kapoor.”