Ranbir Kapoor talks Ramayana with students from over 500 schools in JioHotstar outreach

Mumbai, October 28: JioHotstar brought together nearly 20,000 students from across the country on a special platform to bring the timeless values of the Ramayana closer to the new generation. The platform was called "Har Yug Mein Ram: A Dialogue with Young Leaders". The programme was held in collaboration with Namit Malhotra's Ramayana and the organisation I.I.M.U.N. (India's International Movement to Unite Nations).

Actor Ranbir Kapoor, director Nitesh Tiwari, actor Ravi Dubey and producer Namit Malhotra were present. The students spoke freely about the enduring values of the Ramayana, its well-known characters, and the relevance of their decisions and relationships today.

More than 500 schools in 18 cities, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, took part, bringing together young voices from different parts of the country. The main dialogue was held at I.I.M.U.N.'s headquarters in Mumbai, where about 150 student leaders were present. Thousands of students from schools across the country joined virtually from their classrooms.

The dialogue has been turned into a special episode that will stream only on JioHotstar, taking the discussion to viewers across the country. The episode can be watched from November 1.

Going beyond popular interpretations of the Ramayana, the students asked several thought-provoking and interesting questions. These included: "Who is the real hero of the Ramayana?", "If you got the chance to meet Lord Ram directly, what would you ask?", "Which character of the Ramayana would you choose as your friend?" and "Whose journey among Ram, Sita and Lakshman do you find the most challenging?"

The discussions led to meaningful conversation on values such as love, friendship, duty, courage, forgiveness and sacrifice. They also offered a chance to understand how important the values of the Ramayana are in the lives of young Indians today.

For Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram in Ramayana: Part One, the dialogue was a good opportunity to learn how the new generation views a character deeply rooted in Indian cultural consciousness. Describing his experience, Kapoor said, "Ram's story has been a part of how we live for generations, and playing him is a deeply humbling and emotional experience for me. The best thing about this dialogue was that I got to hear and understand this story from the perspective of young people. It made me feel again that every generation can connect with Ram in a different way, yet there is always something in his journey that feels very personal and familiar."

Producer Namit Malhotra said, "The Ramayana has given us stories, values and lessons for generations that still guide us today. As we bring this epic to the big screen, it is just as important for young people to know and understand these values and find their own connection with them. What made this dialogue special was the students' curiosity, their sincerity and their perspective. It is astonishing to see that this story, which has been among us for thousands of years, still connects as deeply with the new generation."

Director Nitesh Tiwari said, "The richness of the Ramayana lies in the fact that alongside its grand and vast episodes, its characters go through deeply human decisions and emotions. As filmmakers, it was our responsibility to retain that same emotional truth while bringing this story to the screen for the new generation. Listening to students question these characters, reflect on their decisions and interpret them in their own way is a beautiful reminder of why this story remains so relevant and alive."

Ravi Dubey, who plays Lakshman, said, "Playing Lakshman gave me a chance to understand a relationship founded on loyalty, love and unwavering devotion to duty. The most interesting thing for me during this dialogue was how young people view these relationships and decisions through their own experiences. Their views let me see the character of Lakshman from a fresh angle too, and being part of this initiative was one of the most meaningful experiences for me."

"Har Yug Mein Ram" is a joint initiative of JioHotstar, the makers of Ramayana and I.I.M.U.N. It aims to promote meaningful dialogue between generations on India's cultural heritage and timeless values. Connecting the film's cast and makers with thousands of students, in person and virtually, the initiative celebrates the continuing relevance of the Ramayana and encourages young people to understand its lessons through their own questions and ideas.

The special episode, made for JioHotstar, will stream exclusively on JioHotstar from November 1, taking this unique dialogue to viewers across the country.