Mahabharat actor Gajendra Chauhan shares his honest review of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana trailer, criticizing Kaikeyi’s modern look while praising Ranbir Kapoor’s appearance and Arun Govil’s casting as King Dashrath.
Veteran actor Gajendra Chauhan, who played Yudhishthir in BR Chopra’s iconic Mahabharat series, has given his candid opinion on the recently released trailer of Ramayana starring Ranbir Kapoor. While he found Ranbir’s look convincing, Chauhan said the trailer did not impress him. He specifically pointed out issues with Lara Dutta’s portrayal of Kaikeyi and her modern styling in the exile scene.
The Ramayana trailer, which dropped on July 30, 2026, has sparked widespread discussion online. The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, is one of the most expensive Indian productions with a reported budget of Rs 4,000 crore. It features a star-studded cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Yash as Raavan, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.
Gajendra Chauhan Criticises Kaikeyi’s Modern Look in Ramayana Trailer
Speaking on the Hindi Rush Podcast, Chauhan did not hold back his feelings about the trailer. He said he was personally not impressed by what he saw, especially the scene where Kaikeyi asks King Dashrath to send Ram into exile.
“I saw the Ramayana trailer. Personally, I am telling you, I was not impressed. I was not impressed by Kaikeyi’s scene where she asks for Ram’s exile. Her dressing, for one, is very modern. They have given her a modern saree.”
Chauhan, who played Dashrath himself in Ravi Chopra’s Ramayan in 2002, compared the two versions. He said the emotional weight of the Kaikeyi-Dashrath sequence was missing in the new trailer. According to him, the scene where Kaikeyi demands Ram’s exile is a turning point in the story, showing how the royal family falls apart after Manthara influences Kaikeyi.
He also recalled how much effort went into filming that scene in his version. The actors spent almost a day and a half shooting that portion to get the emotions right.
Chauhan further pointed out that in traditional depictions, Kaikeyi was shown sitting in the Kop Bhavan (a place where royals went when upset) wearing a black saree. He felt the new version did not capture that authentic feel.
Ranbir Kapoor’s Look as Lord Ram Gets Chauhan’s Approval
Despite his criticism of the trailer, Chauhan had good things to say about Ranbir Kapoor’s appearance as Lord Ram. He acknowledged that the actor looked convincing in the glimpses shown.
“Here, Ranbir Kapoor has his own image. He is a very big star. Now he is playing Ram. He is looking good, no doubt. He looks very good in the get-up.”
However, Chauhan raised an important point about casting big Bollywood stars in mythological roles. He said audiences already have a fixed mental image of Lord Ram, shaped by years of cultural exposure and previous screen versions. This makes it extremely difficult for any actor to fully meet people’s expectations.
He noted that people imagine Lord Ram with particular royal features like a prominent nose and a kingly aura. These pre-established notions can make it hard for audiences to accept a well-known star in such a sacred role.
Chauhan also said it would be unfair to judge Ranbir’s full performance based only on the trailer. He believes viewers should watch the complete film before forming a final opinion.
Arun Govil’s Casting as Dashrath Called the Best Choice
One aspect of the film that genuinely impressed Chauhan was the casting of Arun Govil as King Dashrath. Govil famously played Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s television series Ramayan in the late 1980s.
“I think the best casting is Arun Govil as Dashrath. He was Ram 40 years ago. After 40 years, he has grown into Dashrath. He has become a father. I think that is very good casting for Ramayana. He is looking good too.”
Chauhan said Govil’s journey from playing Ram decades ago to now portraying his father Dashrath makes the casting particularly meaningful. He also called Govil a “fantastic actor” and said he believes the veteran will do justice to the role.
Related: Ranbir Kapoor Defends Ramayana VFX, Calls Out Critics Who Judge Trailer on Phones
Why Star Image Can Be a Problem in Mythological Roles
Chauhan also shared his thoughts on why casting established Bollywood stars in mythological roles can be tricky. He said stars already have a public image that audiences know well, and it becomes difficult to separate that image from the sacred character they are playing.
“Stars have an image. It is very difficult for that star image to be accepted in mythology. If you want to play these characters, you should not have too much of an image. You should not be too exposed to the public.”
Chauhan used his own experience as an example. Before playing Yudhishthir in Mahabharat, he had worked in films and around 25 television serials. But he did not have a major public image at that time. The image that people associated with him came from Mahabharat itself.
He also recalled a previously planned Mahabharat project that had announced a star-studded cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgn, and Aamir Khan. The project was eventually shelved after being in development for about two years.
Related:
Ramayana: Part One Release Details
Ramayana: Part One is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 6, 2026, two days before Diwali. The trailer was released on July 30, 2026, during the auspicious Brahma Muhurat at 4:15 am.
The film is being distributed globally by Sony Pictures, with North India distribution handled by Dharma Productions. Ramayana: Part Two is scheduled to arrive in 2027.
The trailer has already crossed significant viewership numbers, with reports indicating it surpassed 1.6 million views shortly after release.
The film features Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, and her look in the trailer has been a topic of debate among fans and critics alike. Sunny Deol plays Hanuman, while Ravi Dubey takes on the role of Lakshman.
Chauhan’s comments add to the mixed reactions the trailer has received online. While some viewers have praised the visual scale and star casting, others have questioned the VFX and character portrayals.
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on Bollywood’s biggest mythological epic and all the latest entertainment news.
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