Honey Singh Weighs In on Yash and Ranbir Kapoor in Ramayana

Honey Singh has shared his view on the much-anticipated Ramayana: Part One, saying that Yash’s portrayal of Ravana appears more impressive to him than Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Ram. The comment, shared after the film’s trailer release, has added another layer to the public conversation around Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious mythological drama.

Ramayana: Part One features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita. The film is scheduled to reach cinemas during Diwali 2026, making it one of the most closely watched upcoming projects in Indian cinema. Its casting, scale and subject have already placed it under considerable audience scrutiny well before its theatrical release.

Honey Singh’s observation draws attention to the film’s character portrayals

Honey Singh’s comment is an individual response to the visual presentation of the two central characters. Rather than offering a review of the unreleased film, his observation reflects the way viewers are beginning to interpret the performances and character designs shown in the trailer.

Ravana is one of the most complex figures in the Ramayana tradition. Often depicted as a powerful ruler, scholar and formidable warrior, the character presents an actor with the opportunity to combine authority, intensity and inner conflict. Yash’s appearance in the trailer has consequently become a major point of discussion among viewers who are curious about how the film will approach the character.

Lord Ram, in contrast, carries a different set of expectations. The character is traditionally associated with dignity, restraint, compassion and moral resolve. Ranbir Kapoor’s casting therefore places emphasis not only on physical representation but also on the challenge of conveying a widely recognised cultural ideal in a cinematic format.

Why the casting of Ramayana: Part One matters

The film brings together three prominent performers from different parts of India’s entertainment landscape. Ranbir Kapoor is one of Hindi cinema’s leading actors, Yash has gained wide recognition through the KGF films, and Sai Pallavi is known for performances across multiple Indian-language industries. Their participation gives the project a broad national profile.

The choice of Nitesh Tiwari as director is another important element of the film’s positioning. Tiwari has previously directed films including Dangal and Chhichhore, both of which were built around strong emotional and dramatic narratives. With Ramayana: Part One, he is taking on material that carries deep literary, religious and cultural significance for audiences across generations.

That cultural significance also means that every creative decision is likely to receive close attention. Costume design, visual effects, dialogue, music, action and performance style will all influence how audiences respond to the adaptation. Early reactions to the trailer, including Honey Singh’s preference for Yash’s Ravana, are part of this larger process of expectation-building.

A conversation shaped by interpretation, not competition

Comparisons between Yash’s Ravana and Ranbir Kapoor’s Lord Ram are likely to continue as more promotional material becomes available. However, the two roles are designed to serve different dramatic purposes within the story, making direct comparisons necessarily subjective.

One viewer may respond more strongly to Ravana’s imposing presence, while another may focus on the quiet authority required of Lord Ram. Such differences are natural when a familiar epic is reinterpreted for the screen. They also show how audiences engage with a film before its full narrative is available to them.

For the makers, the challenge will be to ensure that the finished film develops the visual promise of its trailer while treating its source material with narrative clarity and sensitivity. For the audience, the conversation offers an early indication of the performances and relationships that will define the first instalment.

DPIFF Instagram reference

DPIFF shared the discussion surrounding Honey Singh’s reaction and the casting of Ramayana: Part One in its Instagram post. Readers can view the original post here: DPIFF’s Instagram reference.

About Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival

Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival is a platform dedicated to recognising and celebrating contributions to Indian cinema and the wider entertainment industry. DPIFF highlights the work of actors, filmmakers, technicians, musicians and other creative professionals. Through its editorial and festival initiatives, it contributes to conversations around cinema, storytelling and the people shaping the industry.

Honey Singh’s remark has brought renewed attention to the contrasting screen impressions created by Yash and Ranbir Kapoor in Ramayana: Part One. The fuller measure of those portrayals, however, will come when the film reaches cinemas during Diwali 2026.