Bollywood sensation Ranbir Kapoor is no stranger to demanding roles, but his latest venture has him taking on a character steeped in lore and tradition. Playing the iconic Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s adaptation of ‘Ramayana’, Kapoor’s fitness regime has become a topic of intrigue as he physically transforms for the role.
Ranbir’s personal trainer cast a spotlight on this transformation, providing a sneak peek into the star’s intense preparations. A video shared on Instagram this Monday showcased the actor’s commitment, featuring him amid bucolic settings engaged in a variety of exercises.
Captured without a shirt, Ranbir was seen pushing his endurance with sprints, complemented by weight training that ensures his physique is convincing for the divine avatar he’s set to essay. A storied fitness routine that includes swimming, cycling, and hiking rounds out his regimen, all part of a “decompression week” in the countryside—a surefire way to start the week on an inspirational note.
The behind-the-scenes look at Kapoor’s efforts comes before he dives into the world of ‘Ramayana’. Though his prior appearance in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’ as Ranvijay Singh garnered acclaim, his role as Aziz in the upcoming sequel, ‘Animal Park’, is much anticipated.
Yet, it’s his portrayal in ‘Ramayana’ that’s creating a buzz, with speculation abounding about the rest of the cast. Reports indicate Sai Pallavi may assume the role of Goddess Sita, alongside industry heavyweights like Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and Vijay Sethupathi being linked to other pivotal characters. But there’s yet to be any official word, maintaining an air of mystery around the project.
The music composition for this epic has equal star power, with Pinkvilla reporting that the film’s producers have commissioned the talents of India’s own AR Rahman and the illustrious German-American composer Hans Zimmer. Zimmer, famous for scoring cinematic giants such as ‘The Lion King’, ‘Gladiator’, and ‘Inception’, marks his foray into Bollywood with ‘Ramayana’.
The cinematic journey commenced on April 2 in Mumbai, with sets resembling a Gurukul—augmented by green screen technology to heighten post-production quality. Ranbir Kapoor, though the star, is conspicuously absent from the initial filming schedule focused on Lord Ram, Laxman, and Bharat’s childhoods. A careful selection of child artists is tasked with bringing these early tales to life, with Shishir Sharma cast as Guru Vasishtha.
Tiwari intends to capture the essence of Ramayana in a manner that is both pure and respectful to the epic’s literary roots. The first scenes depict the sage Vasishtha imparting wisdom to the young princes, with production taking special care to faithfully represent the narrative as chronicled in the ancient texts.
As excitement builds, fans eagerly await any glimpse of Kapoor’s portrayal of one of the most revered figures in Indian mythology. The fervor over the project only intensifies as the film promises to be a blend of star power, musical genius, and narrative gravitas. In the meantime, Ranbir Kapoor’s rigorous preparation signals a dedication to his craft that is both inspiring and indicative of the cinematic spectacle that ‘Ramayana’ aims to be.
