Yash recently spoke to Hollywood media Fandango about his role as Ravana in Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra. The film also stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi as Sita.
In his interview, Yash explained that he does not see Ravana as a simple “evil villain.” Instead, he described the character as layered and complex. According to him, Ravana acts based on his own beliefs and conviction, thinking he is doing the right thing as a king. He also pointed out that Ravana was not just a warrior, but also a scholar, a musician, and a strong devotee of Lord Shiva. Yash said there is a thin line between confidence and arrogance in Ravana’s personality, and that same pride leads to his downfall.
He also shared a broader view that every character acts from their own perspective in Ramayana, which is why he sees Ravana as more than just a negative role.
However, these statements have not gone well with a section of the audience. For many people, Ramayana is not just a story. It is a sacred text and a representation of absolute truth. In that belief, Ravana is seen as a clear symbol of evil, while Lord Rama represents righteousness. There is no confusion or grey area in that interpretation.
Because of this, some people strongly disagree with the idea of showing Ravana as an anti hero or a misunderstood character. They argue that Ravana was an Asura who caused suffering and had to be destroyed by Lord Vishnu’s avatar, Rama. According to them, his actions, especially abducting Sita, came from arrogance and lust, not from any justified reason like revenge.
This has led to a deeper concern. Some Ram devotees feel that if Ravana is shown with too much sympathy or justification, it could send the wrong message. Many might even find Ravana more macho, fierce, and charismatic than Lord Rama. They question where the line should be drawn between understanding a character and glorifying their actions.
At the same time, filmmakers often try to explore characters in a more detailed and human way. Showing Ravana as intelligent, skilled, and powerful does not automatically mean justifying his actions. It could simply be an attempt to make the story richer and more engaging.
Right now, everything depends on how the film handles this balance. Will Ravana be shown as a powerful but flawed character who ultimately represents evil? Or will the film go too far in making him look heroic?
One side sees Ramayana as a clear story of good versus evil. The other sees room to explore the depth of characters within that story.
The real answer will only come when the film releases during Diwali in November 2026.
