In a candid conversation with filmmaker Namit Malhotra, Sadhguru asked why Yash — widely admired for his looks — was chosen to play Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. Producer Namit Malhotra defends the casting, saying Ravana required superstar presence and layered shades.
Sadhguru Questions Yash’s Casting as Ravana in Ramayana
In a widely shared conversation ahead of the epic film Ramayana, spiritual leader Sadhguru said he was puzzled why the “handsome” actor Yash was cast as Ravana, suggesting that traditional villain traits (like a “blunt nose” and larger-than-life features) didn’t match the actor’s look. Producer Namit Malhotra responded that the role demanded a superstar-level presence and a layered performance that could capture Ravana’s complex shades.
The exchange casts fresh attention on casting choices for India’s most ambitious mythological adaptation. Ramayana — directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra — features Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. The two-part film is slated for Diwali releases in 2026 and 2027, and discussions around character design and star power are intensifying as promotion ramps up.
Casting debates like this often reflect deeper questions about myth retellings: should iconic antagonists match traditional physical stereotypes, or can a modern screen portrayal rely on charisma and nuance to reinvent the villain? Namit told Sadhguru the team wanted someone who could embody Ravana’s devotion to Shiva while delivering the dramatic heft the role demands.
