Shaktimaan actor criticises Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana film for action portrayal

Mukesh Khanna, best known for his role in the television series Shaktimaan, has publicly criticised the action sequences in Ranbir Kapoor's forthcoming Ramayana film, contending that the portrayal deviates significantly from classical depictions of the revered deity.

Khanna expressed concern that the film presents Ram as a conventional action hero, a characterisation he believes contradicts the spiritual and moral values traditionally associated with the figure in Hindu philosophy and classical texts. The actor suggested that this interpretation undermines the concept of Ram as the "Maryada Purushottam," or the ideal man who embodies restraint, virtue, and adherence to dharma.

The criticism reflects broader discussions within Indian cinema about how religious and mythological narratives should be adapted for contemporary audiences. Filmmakers often face scrutiny when reinterpreting sacred stories, particularly when departing from conventional storytelling approaches that audiences have come to expect from traditional tellings and earlier screen adaptations.

The film, which features Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role, is among several recent projects attempting to bring classical Hindu epics to the cinema. Khanna's comments add to the ongoing conversation about the balance between artistic interpretation and cultural sensitivity when adapting revered mythological texts for modern film audiences.