Shaktimaan actor Mukesh Khanna isn’t fine with Ranbir Kapoor playing the role of Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. In an interview with mid-day, Mukesh indirectly called Ranbir a ‘lampat chhichhora’ (lewd-hooligan) and said that if someone is playing the role of Ram he should not be allowed to “party and drink.”

Mukesh also said that Arun Govil’s performance as Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s 1987 TV show Ramayan was the “gold standard.” Speaking about Ranbir, he said, “All I can say is that whoever plays Ram must embody Ram; he shouldn’t look like Raavan. In their real life, if they are a (lampat chhichhora) lewd hooligan, then it will show on screen. If you’re playing Ram, you’re not allowed to party and drink. But who am I to decide who plays Ram?” 

The Mahabharat (1988) actor added that although Prabhas was a superstar, he was not accepted as Ram in the 2023 film Adipurush as he didn’t “look like Ram.” While describing Ranbir as the ‘Kapoor family’s beacon,’ Mukesh claimed, “He’s a fine actor… But I will look at his face, and he should look like Ram. He’s just done Animal, and his negative personality was highlighted in that movie. I hope that doesn’t disturb this…”  

Mukesh found himself in the centre of controversy recently after he made distasteful comments against Sonakshi Sinha and her “upbringing” for being unable to answer a question related to Ramayana at an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati. Sonakshi later called out Mukesh on Instagram and the latter rendered an apology.