‘Ramayana: Part 1’: Ranbir Kapoor’s earnest appeal gives new life to Rama

(Alert: This piece may contain mild spoilers about ‘Ramayana’ after its first screening) Ever since Ranbir Kapoor was announced to play Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part adaptation of the mythological epic, Ramayana, doubts have been raised about the actor’s adaptability for the role. As someone who became the face of a newly emerging youth through his charismatic portrayal of a nimble playboy in Bachna Ae Haseeno, a free-spirited lover in Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, a broken artist in Rockstar, a hyperactive loner in Tamasha, an obsessive man-child in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and a testosterone-fuelled enigma in Animal, Ranbir’s turn as the quintessential idealist, who upholds his morals and honour over everything, came under immense scrutiny. That conversation has persisted even after Ramayana released today, with some viewers projecting that the actor didn’t quite fit into the role. But is that really the case?