Mumbai: Actor Addinath Kothare, who plays Bharat in filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, has revealed that he became emotional while reading the iconic Bharat Milap sequence for the first time. The actor said the scene moved him even before filming began, with Tiwari reassuring him that the emotional response was exactly what the filmmaker wanted.
Kothare spoke about preparing for the emotionally significant sequence, trusting Tiwari’s direction and the experience of working with an ensemble cast on one of the most ambitious film projects based on the Indian epic.
The actor also recalled a thoughtful suggestion from his co-star Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Rama, during their first shoot together. According to Kothare, Kapoor’s input helped him explore a small interaction between the brothers in a scene from the Mithila wedding sequence.
Bharat Milap scene moved Addinath Kothare during first reading
For Kothare, the Bharat Milap sequence was one of the most important moments in his portrayal of Bharat. The emotional connection began during his first meeting with Tiwari, when the filmmaker narrated the character and handed him the lines to read.
Kothare said he initially delivered the lines casually but found himself choking up while reading them in front of the director. The reaction was unexpected, but Tiwari’s response gave him confidence that he was connecting with the material in the intended way.
“It’s amazing how Nitesh sir writes. His writing is brilliant. When I read those lines for the first time in front of Nitesh sir, I remember choking. I said them very casually, but I tried to be as honest as I could, and I choked at that point. Nitesh sir was sitting next to me, and he was like, ‘Bas yeh hi karna hai’ (That’s what you need to do). That gave me a little confidence,” he recalled.
The actor said that the scene’s emotional foundation was already established through the writing. When it came to performing it on camera, he decided not to overcomplicate the moment.
Kothare explained that actors can sometimes keep thinking about what more they could add to a scene. However, he felt that working with a director who had a clear understanding of the material required him to trust the filmmaker’s judgement.
“As actors, hum log sochte hai ki aur kya karna chahiye (We wonder what else should be done). Sometimes you just need to go with the flow and trust the director. And when you have someone like Nitesh sir, who is heading and leading from the front, you just need to follow his lead. And that’s what I did. I just followed his instructions,” he said.
He added that he was happy with the way the Bharat Milap sequence eventually turned out.
Actor explains why the Ramayana screenplay needed adaptation
Kothare also addressed discussions about Bharat’s relationship with Kaikeyi and the absence of a more elaborate confrontation between the two in the film.
He pointed out that adapting the Ramayana for a feature film is a challenging task because the epic has numerous versions, interpretations and layers. Each chapter contains several important episodes and relationships that can be explored in greater detail.
According to the actor, the filmmakers had to make choices about what was essential to the screenplay while adapting the expansive narrative for the big screen.
“Har chapter ke 10 chapters hai, is Ramayan, uske bhi alag 10 versions hai (There are multiple layers to every chapter, and the Ramayana itself has several versions). So, to condense it into a film screenplay, I think what was necessary was there. I think it was a very good screenplay,” he said.
His comments underline the challenge of balancing the epic’s familiar episodes and character relationships with the limited storytelling space available in a theatrical film.
The Ramayana has been retold through different literary traditions, regional interpretations and cultural adaptations. A film version therefore has to select particular episodes and character arcs while attempting to retain the emotional and narrative core of the story.
Ranbir Kapoor’s suggestion helped Kothare during first shoot
While the Bharat Milap sequence gave Kothare an emotionally demanding moment, his initial days on the set also came with the nervousness of joining a large production and working alongside established actors.
The actor recalled his first shoot with Ranbir Kapoor, who portrays Lord Rama. The scene was part of the Mithila wedding sequence, featuring the four brothers — Rama, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughan — standing together and looking at their brides.
Although the scene appeared relatively simple, Kothare was still exploring Bharat’s body language and how the brothers would interact on screen. He had several ideas about how to approach the moment but was unsure whether he should introduce an additional interaction with Rama.
Kapoor noticed the possibility and suggested an approach just before the take. Kothare said the suggestion matched an idea he had already been considering.
“I remember all of us standing, and we just had to look and react to the brides and blush. I was getting tempted to do so many different things at that point. There was a thought: maybe I should interact with Ram. I didn’t know whether I should do it or not. Just before the take, Ranbir spoke to me and said, ‘Why don’t you try doing this? That’ll work.’ And I was thinking the same thing, so we went with that,” he said.
Kothare described the interaction warmly, recalling how Kapoor’s suggestion helped him approach the moment with greater confidence.
The anecdote offers a glimpse into the collaboration among the actors portraying the four brothers. Their on-screen relationships are central to the story, and even small gestures and interactions can help establish the familiarity and affection between the characters.
Addinath Kothare describes Ramayana set as a temple
Kothare also spoke about the atmosphere on the sets of Ramayana, describing it as one of the most disciplined working environments he had experienced.
He said the entire team appeared conscious of the scale of the project and the cultural and emotional significance associated with bringing the epic to the screen. The sense of responsibility, he added, was visible among the actors as well as the production staff.
“I think the set of Ramayana was like a temple. It was like stepping into a temple because everyone was in sync, everyone was anchored and synced with the momentum, the sanctity and the sacredness of that entire project. You could feel it, right from the co-actors to the staff to everyone,” he said.
His description reflects the importance the cast and crew attached to the project. For a story that has remained part of India’s cultural imagination for generations, portraying its central characters comes with expectations that extend beyond an ordinary film role.
Cast and sequel details of Ramayana
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, Addinath Kothare as Bharat and Yash as Ravana. The film was released in theatres on November 5.
The first instalment introduces the central characters and establishes the story’s major relationships. Kothare’s comments offer insight into how the filmmakers approached the emotional bond between Rama and Bharat, particularly through the Bharat Milap sequence.
The sequel is scheduled to release on Diwali 2028 and will feature Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. Deol’s character was introduced in the post-credits scene of the first instalment.
For Kothare, the experience of playing Bharat has involved both the emotional demands of the character and the opportunity to work with a team that he says shared a strong sense of purpose. His account of the first reading of Bharat Milap and Kapoor’s on-set suggestion highlights the importance of writing, direction and collaboration in bringing the epic’s relationships to life on screen.