Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Mumbai, October 14: Kannada superstar Yash is all set to portray Ravana in director Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming epic film ‘Ramayana’, and his first look has already sparked discussions among movie enthusiasts. Now, actor Arya Babbar has shared his reaction to Yash’s appearance as the legendary antagonist, saying that he did not find anything particularly new in the look. During a recent interview, Arya drew comparisons between Yash’s Ravana avatar and his appearance in the blockbuster ‘KGF’ franchise. However, he also emphasised that a final assessment of the actor’s performance would only be possible after watching the entire film.

Arya Babbar, who is currently portraying Ravana in his theatrical production ‘Mahabali’, offered his views on the much-anticipated characterisation. According to him, Yash’s first look as Ravana did not appear significantly different from the kind of screen persona audiences have already seen in ‘KGF’. His observation has added another dimension to the ongoing discussions surrounding the visual presentation of Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of the Ramayana.

At the same time, Arya made it clear that judging a character solely on the basis of a first-look poster or promotional appearance would be premature. He suggested that the overall portrayal, including the actor’s performance and the way the character is developed throughout the story, would ultimately determine its impact. Therefore, despite his initial reaction to Yash’s look, Arya stopped short of making a definitive judgement about the performance.

During the conversation, Arya also praised Saif Ali Khan’s performance as Ravana in Om Raut’s film ‘Adipurush’. He said that Saif had followed the director’s vision for the character and had attempted to bring something distinctive to the role. Arya’s comments indicate that he believes an actor’s interpretation should also be considered in the context of the director’s creative approach and the overall vision of the film.

The portrayal of Ravana has remained a major talking point whenever filmmakers bring the Ramayana to the big screen. With Yash stepping into the role in one of the most anticipated Indian cinematic projects, expectations are particularly high. His established image as a powerful screen presence, especially following the success of ‘KGF’, has further intensified interest in how he will approach the character of the king of Lanka.

Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’ features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Mata Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. The film also features several prominent actors in important roles, including Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh and Vivek Oberoi.

Produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash, the ambitious project is planned for a two-part theatrical release. The first instalment is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on November 5. Given the scale of the production, its prominent cast and the enduring popularity of the epic, the film has generated considerable anticipation among audiences.

Discussions about Yash’s Ravana look continue, Arya Babbar’s comments have brought renewed attention to the challenge of presenting a familiar mythological character in a fresh and compelling way. Whether Yash’s portrayal offers a distinctive interpretation beyond his established action-hero image will become clearer when audiences get to watch the film in its entirety.