Kothare Backs Ranbir: Why Ramayana Is “Honest Art” And Bigger Than The Backlash

Ashik Bothra May 14, 2026 380 Views

In a new interview, Ramayana actor Addinath Kothare has called Nitesh Tiwari’s epic “honest art” and said he is proud of what Ranbir Kapoor has done with the character of Lord Ram. He praised Ranbir as one of Indian cinema’s most sincere performers and backed the film to speak for itself once it releases.

Addinath On Ranbir’s Ram

Speaking about the online chatter around casting and teaser reactions, Kothare who plays Bharat said Ramayana is being made with utmost sincerity, deep research and respect for the epic. He highlighted Ranbir Kapoor’s intense preparation and emotional honesty, noting that the actor has approached Ram not as a star vehicle but as a responsibility to a generation.

Why He Calls Ramayana “Honest Art”

Kothare described Ramayana as “India’s most honest film” in terms of intent, stating that the team is trying to globalise Indian storytelling without diluting its spiritual and cultural essence. From extensive consultations with experts to the scale of visual effects and world-building, he believes the film aims to honour the original text while making it accessible to global audiences. For him, playing Bharat a symbol of loyalty and sacrifice has been “life-transforming” and humbling.

Epic Scale, Global Ambition

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana is planned as a two-part epic, with Part 1 slated for Diwali 2026 and Part 2 targeting Diwali 2027. The ensemble cast includes Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Addinath Kothare as Bharat. International collaborators like Hans Zimmer, A.R. Rahman and top Hollywood action teams are also involved, underscoring the intent to position Ramayana as a global cinematic event.

Ramayana Insight Highlights

Addinath Kothare calls Ramayana “honest art” and India’s most sincere film
Actor says he is proud of Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Ram
Bharat role described as life-changing, rooted in sacrifice and loyalty
Two-part Ramayana to release on Diwali 2026 and Diwali 2027
Big-ticket ensemble cast and global technical team aimed at taking Indian cinema worldwide