Mumbai: Director Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of the Ramayana has been one of the most anticipated Indian films in recent years. The mega-budget project, mounted on an unprecedented scale, has largely remained under tight security — with sets, costumes and character looks closely guarded. However, on Monday, photographs of Ranbir Kapoor in his Lord Rama get-up were leaked online, triggering intense discussion across social media platforms.
The undated images, first published by Zoom, appear to show Ranbir walking from the set to his vanity van, with staff members holding an umbrella over him. Vans and crew members are visible in the background, suggesting the photographs were taken during an active shooting schedule. While the shoot for Ramayana Part One has wrapped, filming for Ramayana Part Two is currently underway.
The leaked look
In the leaked pictures, Ranbir is seen dressed in a kesariya dhoti, wearing a janeu across his torso. A black cape covers part of his otherwise bare upper body, and he appears to be sporting long hair supported by a wig to complete the look of Lord Rama.
The visuals quickly went viral, with fans dissecting every detail — from the costume styling to the hair design. Given the film’s reported budget of $400–500 million (approximately ₹3,300–4,100 crore), expectations have been sky-high.
Producer Namit Malhotra has previously stated in interviews that the two-part saga would be among the most expensive films ever produced in India, aiming for global scale and technical excellence.
Social media reactions divided
The internet, however, appeared largely unimpressed by the leaked look. The images were widely circulated on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), with several users criticising the wig and styling.
“All that $400 million budget and they couldn’t arrange for a decent-looking wig?” one user commented. Another echoed similar sentiments, stating that Bollywood often struggles with realistic hair and beard design in period dramas.
Some viewers also questioned whether the look aligned with traditional depictions of Lord Rama in mythological illustrations and comics. “If Ram had long hair, he would tie it up in a top knot. At least that’s what my comic book illustrations show,” wrote one commenter.
The criticism also drew comparisons to Adipurush, director Om Raut’s 2023 adaptation of the epic starring Prabhas as Lord Rama. That film, despite being mounted on a lavish scale and reportedly earning around ₹350 crore worldwide, was widely considered a commercial disappointment relative to its high production cost and faced criticism over visual effects and character portrayal.
“Learnt nothing from Adipurush apparently,” wrote one social media user, while another speculated that the film would rely heavily on CGI.
Not all reactions negative
Despite the wave of criticism, not everyone dismissed Ranbir’s portrayal outright. Some fans urged patience, suggesting that final judgement should be reserved until an official teaser or trailer is released.
“He actually looks weird here, but I’ll still wait for a proper teaser/trailer before passing any judgement,” one user wrote, reflecting a more measured stance.
Industry observers also pointed out that leaked, behind-the-scenes images rarely capture the final on-screen impact, especially in effects-heavy films where post-production significantly enhances visuals.
Star-studded cast and global ambitions
Apart from Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, the film boasts a high-profile ensemble. Yash is set to portray Ravana, Sai Pallavi will play Sita, Sunny Deol takes on the role of Lord Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey will be seen as Lakshman.
The project’s global appeal has been further amplified by the collaboration between legendary composer Hans Zimmer and Oscar-winning Indian composer A. R. Rahman, who are jointly working on the music score.
Backed by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studio, the film aims to present the ancient epic on a scale comparable to major international franchises. The first glimpse of the project was unveiled in July last year, generating significant buzz.
Ramayana Part One is scheduled for a worldwide release in October 2026, ahead of Diwali.
Conclusion
The leak of Ranbir Kapoor’s Lord Rama look has reignited debate around cinematic adaptations of India’s epics and the enormous expectations attached to them. While early reactions have been mixed, the true test will lie in the film’s official promotional material and eventual theatrical release. Until then, Ramayana remains one of the most closely watched projects in Indian cinema.