Kannada superstar Yash has opened up about the responsibility of portraying Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming epic Ramayana, admitting that taking on one of Indian mythology’s most recognizable characters brought a unique challenge.
The actor shared his thoughts during an interview with IGN at San Diego Comic-Con, where he appeared alongside co-star Ranbir Kapoor, director Nitesh Tiwari, and producer Namit Malhotra to promote the highly anticipated film.
Yash Says Audience Expectations Made the Role Difficult
Discussing his preparation, Yash explained that playing a legendary character like Ravana is very different from portraying a fictional role because audiences already have their own perception of the character.
He noted that countless actors have portrayed Ravana over the decades, making it difficult to present a fresh interpretation while remaining true to the essence of the mythological figure.
Instead of focusing on previous performances, Yash said he tried to understand the emotions, intentions, and mindset that shaped Ravana’s decisions.
He expressed hope that audiences would connect with his interpretation when the film releases.
Childhood Memories Influenced His Performance
Yash revealed that stories from the Ramayana were a regular part of his childhood, thanks to his grandfather, who often narrated episodes from the epic.
Those early experiences gave him an emotional connection with the character, but he wanted to create a version of Ravana that felt layered and relatable rather than simply repeating familiar portrayals.
The actor credited director Nitesh Tiwari and the writing team for encouraging him to explore the character from a fresh perspective.
Ramayana’s Global Promotion Continues
The Ramayana team attended San Diego Comic-Con as part of the film’s international promotional campaign, participating in media interactions and a special panel discussion.
Fans were expecting the first official trailer to debut during the event. However, producer Namit Malhotra later confirmed that the launch had been postponed.
According to Malhotra, the decision was taken after Ramayana secured a global distribution partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment. He said the makers now plan to unveil the trailer worldwide at a later date.
Star-Studded Cast and Release Timeline
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is being developed as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the ancient epic.
The film features:
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama
- Yash as Ravana
- Sai Pallavi as Sita
Supporting roles are played by Sunny Deol, Ravie Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta, Arun Govil, Vivek Oberoi, and Kunal Kapoor.
