Yash on playing Ravana in Ramayanam: my son was shocked, I told him not to idolise my character

South superstar Yash is in the news for director Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming film "Ramayanam". Yash plays Ravana in the film, while Ranbir Kapoor appears as Lord Ram. In an interview, Yash recounted a conversation with his son about the role.

According to Yash, his son knows who his father is. But when he learnt that his father was playing Ravana and not Lord Ram in "Ramayanam", he was badly shocked. He could not understand how his father could play the villain of the story. Yash said his son told him, "No, you are the villain. How can you do this?"

Yash then had to explain to his son the importance of the characters in the Ramayana. He told the boy that Lord Ram is the central figure of the story and is the one who should be regarded as the ideal.

Yash told his son that Ravana is certainly powerful and impressive, but that true and lasting victory in life requires following the path of dharma and righteousness, as Lord Ram did. He also explained that the character an artist plays and the artist's real personality are different. Yash said, "You can admire me as an actor on stage, but do not take the character I have played as your ideal."

Yash said his son asked another question as he was told the story of the Ramayana. When the boy learnt that Ravana is defeated and dies at the end, he put the question to his father. In Yash's words, "My son asked me, 'Do you die at the end of the film? Do you lose?' That question was a little difficult for me. When I signed this film, I had only one thought in mind, that audiences should get to see an outstanding performance. But I had never imagined I would face such questions from my son."

Yash also said that explaining to his son the difference between the character an actor plays and what the actor is really like was a unique experience for him.

Yash is putting special effort into the role of Ravana. In an interview, he had said that during shooting he played mantras and stotras of Lord Shiva loudly on the set. Ravana is regarded as a supreme devotee of Lord Shiva. According to Yash, this atmosphere helped him get into Ravana's mindset and play the character more effectively. He also made clear that wearing Ravana's heavy crown and grand costume is physically challenging.

"Ramayanam", directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is based on the Indian epic Ramayana. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi plays Sita and Yash plays Ravana. Actors including Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh, Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Vivek Oberoi and Anupam Kher will also appear in important roles.

"Ramayanam" will be released in two parts. The first part is reported to arrive on November 5, 2026, and the second on Diwali next year. The combined budget of the two parts is said to be around Rs 4,000 crore. That is why all eyes are on this big project of the Indian film industry.