Bollywood actor Salman Khan has weighed in on the ongoing public discourse surrounding the recent cinematic adaptation of the epic Ramayana. Speaking at the trailer launch of his own upcoming project, Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace, the actor addressed the intense media and audience scrutiny focused on the production value of Nitesh Tiwari’s latest film. Khan argued that the conversation surrounding the cinematic venture has been disproportionately preoccupied with its reported ₹4,000 crore budget and the extensive use of visual effects.
"I just think Ramayana ka charcha Ramayana pe hona chahiye na ki VFX and cost of production par," Khan remarked, suggesting that the primary focus of the audience should remain on the scriptural foundation and the core characters of the epic rather than the financial or technical specifications of the production. He further elaborated that the narrative, which chronicles the journey and virtues of Lord Rama, is often overshadowed by discussions about industry metrics, which he believes is not the appropriate approach for such a project.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios, the two-part adaptation of the ancient Hindu epic features a prominent ensemble cast. Ranbir Kapoor portrays Lord Rama, while Sai Pallavi stars as Sita. The role of the antagonist, Ravana, is played by Yash, with Sunny Deol appearing as Hanuman. The production has been widely described as the most expensive film in Indian history, generating significant anticipation ahead of its theatrical debut on November 5.
During his address, Khan underscored the importance of the qualities attributed to the figures within the epic. He described Lord Rama as a quintessential son, husband, father, and warrior, noting that these attributes are central to the story's enduring legacy. By shifting the focus back to the characters—Rama, Sita, and Ravana—the actor expressed a preference for evaluating the film based on its storytelling merit rather than its commercial scale.
The cinematic project represents a massive undertaking, drawing upon one of the world's oldest pieces of literature, the epic attributed to Valmiki. The narrative follows the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and his conflict with the asura king Ravana following the abduction of Sita. The cast also includes a diverse array of actors, such as Ravi Dubey, Anupam Kher, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, and veteran actor Arun Govil, among others.
Commercially, the film has seen a robust start, with reports indicating it crossed the ₹100 crore mark in India within the first two days of its theatrical release. This performance highlights the significant public interest in the project, which continues to dominate discussions in the Indian film industry.
Meanwhile, Salman Khan is preparing for the release of his own production, Maatrubhumi, scheduled to arrive in theatres on December 4. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia under the banner of Salman Khan Films, the movie stars Chitrangada Singh, Mukesh Rishi, and several other actors. Khan noted that some of the heroic qualities he discussed regarding his interpretation of Lord Rama are also reflected in his character in this upcoming film.
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