Six Indian actors defined Ravana before Yash’s grand entry in Ramayana

Introduction

The teaser of Ramayana: Part 1 has reignited interest in past portrayals of Ravana. While Yash’s casting has generated excitement, audiences are revisiting the actors who previously defined the role in Indian cinema and television.

Actors Who Played Ravana

• Arvind Trivedi: Iconic performance in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan (1987), still remembered as definitive.
• NT Rama Rao: Telugu matinee idol who played Ravana in Sita Rama Kalyanam.
• Akhilendra Mishra: Took over in the 2008 reboot of Ramayan.
• Saif Ali Khan: Played Ravana in Adipurush (2023), a modernized interpretation.
• Om Puri: Portrayed Ravana in Bharat Ek Khoj (Doordarshan series).
• Amrish Puri: Voiced Ravana in the Hindi version of The Legend of Prince Rama (1992 anime).

Significance Of These Portrayals

• Each actor brought a distinct style, from classical gravitas to modern reinterpretations.
• Performances shaped public imagination of Ravana across generations.
• Yash’s upcoming portrayal will be measured against these legendary benchmarks.

Key Highlights

•⁠  ⁠Yash to play Ravana in Ramayana: Part 1 (Diwali 2026)

•⁠  ⁠Arvind Trivedi’s 1987 portrayal remains iconic in Indian television history

•⁠  ⁠NT Rama Rao played Ravana in Telugu cinema’s Sita Rama Kalyanam  

•⁠  ⁠Akhilendra Mishra reprised the role in 2008’s Ramayan reboot

•⁠  ⁠Saif Ali Khan’s modern Ravana in Adipurush sparked debate

•⁠  ⁠Om Puri and Amrish Puri added gravitas through TV and voice acting

Sources: Times Now, Zoom TV, DNA India