Kunal Kapoor is gearing up to feature as Lord Indra Dev in Ramayana, one of the most ambitious Indian films of the year. The film, which features a sprawling ensemble cast, has already generated considerable buzz around its scale and visual treatment. Speaking about his experience of working on the film, Kunal said its biggest strength lies in offering audiences a fresh cinematic experience while staying faithful to a story they already know.
Kunal Kapoor on Ramayana
According to Kunal, the makers were never looking to alter the essence of the epic. Instead, the film aims to present the familiar story through a new cinematic lens, with its scale, action, music and visual treatment adding to the experience. “With the Ramayana, everyone already knows the story. You can’t change it, and you shouldn’t. We’ve grown up with it, we’ve seen countless retellings, it’s part of who we are,” he said.
“What’s exciting about this film is that the story stays the same but the experience is entirely new. The way it’s shot, the action, the music. You’ll walk in knowing exactly what happens and still walk out having felt something you haven’t felt before,” Kunal said.
The actor also reflected on the atmosphere on the sets, describing it as unlike anything he had experienced before. According to him, the scale of the project was matched by the sense of responsibility among those working on it.
Kunal Kapoor on Ramayana criticism
“I’ve never been on a set like that. It was quiet. Almost meditative. You could feel that everyone knew they were part of something that mattered,” Kunal said, adding that being part of a project based on a story deeply rooted in India’s cultural heritage made the experience particularly memorable.
Kunal also addressed the conversations and criticism surrounding the film’s visuals, costumes and creative choices online. “Everyone has social media now. Some of that comes from people who understand the craft, or from an audience that loves this story and wants the best version of it, and that opinion is worth hearing. But plenty of it exists to go viral, to be the interesting thing someone said that day. You can’t chase all of it,” he said.
Kunal added that the team has chosen to remain focused on the work. “You focus on the work. Nitesh sir and Namit have put so much into this that no stone will be left unturned,” he concluded. Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol, Lara Dutta and others, with Kunal playing Lord Indra Dev. The film is slated to release on November 6 this year.