Mumbai: Ranbir Kapoor’s transformation into Lord Ram and Lord Parashuram in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana Part 1 involved detailed work beyond costumes and physical characterisation. Celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim has offered a glimpse into the creative process behind the actor’s two distinct appearances, explaining how hair design helped establish the visual identities of the mythological figures.
Hakim, who has collaborated with Kapoor on several films and public appearances, shared stills from the recently released film on Instagram. Reflecting on the experience, he described designing the actor’s hair for the two roles as a special creative journey.
“Designing the hair for Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Shri Ram and Lord Parshuram in RAMAYANA has been an absolute honour and a deeply special creative journey,” he wrote.
The hairstylist’s work involved creating contrasting looks that reflected the personalities, appearances and journeys associated with the two characters. While Lord Ram’s styling was designed around grace and restraint, Lord Parashuram’s appearance required a more rugged and formidable treatment.
Lord Ram’s look combines grace and simplicity
For Lord Ram, Hakim opted for a composed and graceful hairstyle rather than an overtly theatrical appearance. Kapoor’s look features shoulder-length hair with soft waves and natural movement, framing his face while maintaining a calm and dignified visual identity.
The styling also changes according to the different phases of Lord Ram’s journey depicted in the film.
In the Ayodhya sequences, delicate metallic hair ornaments add a royal touch, reflecting the character’s position as a prince. The details complement the larger costume design and contribute to the regal appearance associated with his life in the kingdom.
The look undergoes a transition in the forest exile portions. The hair becomes looser and more natural, with unadorned tresses and topknots replacing the more decorative styling seen in the Ayodhya sequences.
This approach allows the character’s appearance to evolve with his circumstances while retaining the simplicity and dignity associated with Lord Ram.
Lord Parashuram gets a rugged appearance
In contrast, Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Parashuram called for a significantly different hairstyle and overall appearance.
The warrior-sage’s look is built around a denser and more rugged silhouette. Heavy textured layers, wind-swept volume and a weathered beard contribute to a formidable presence, setting him apart from the softer visual treatment of Lord Ram.
The styling moves away from the natural grace associated with Lord Ram and instead gives Parashuram a more untamed and ascetic appearance.
The contrast is particularly important because Kapoor portrays both mythological figures in the film. By developing two distinct hair identities, Hakim has helped differentiate the characters through their overall screen presence, ensuring that their appearances reflect their individual personalities and traditional representations.
The work also demonstrates how hair design can contribute to storytelling. Even without dialogue or action, the styling helps audiences recognise the differences between two characters portrayed by the same actor.
Aalim Hakim and Ranbir Kapoor’s creative association
The project marks another collaboration between Hakim and Kapoor, who have worked together on several films featuring markedly different looks for the actor.
Their previous collaborations include Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, which featured a youthful appearance for Kapoor, and Sanju, where the hairstylist contributed to the film’s retro-inspired characterisation. In Animal, Kapoor sported a rugged, long-haired look that became an important part of his character’s screen identity.
Each project required a different approach to styling, depending on the character and the world of the film. However, Ramayana Part 1 presented a distinct creative challenge, as the hairstylist had to develop appearances for two revered mythological figures while ensuring that both remained visually different.
Hakim’s Instagram post has brought attention to the detailed grooming work behind Kapoor’s transformation. While costumes, jewellery and production design establish the larger visual setting of a mythological film, hair and makeup are equally important in shaping a character’s identity.
Hair design adds depth to Ramayana’s visual world
The contrasting appearances of Lord Ram and Lord Parashuram highlight the attention given to character design in Ramayana Part 1. The distinction between the two looks is not limited to differences in clothing or accessories but extends to hair texture, volume, silhouette and grooming.
For Kapoor, portraying both figures required changes in physical presentation that could communicate their contrasting identities on screen. Hakim’s work forms one part of this larger transformation, alongside the film’s costumes, makeup and production design.
With the film currently running in cinemas, the hairstylist’s post offers audiences a closer look at the creative decisions involved in bringing its mythological characters to life. It also highlights how seemingly small details can play a significant role in making a character’s screen appearance memorable.