From Arun Govil to Ranbir Kapoor: Actors Who Played Lord Rama

The April 2 teaser release of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana starring Ranbir Kapoor has reignited conversations about one of Indian cinema’s most sacred roles. Over nearly four decades, several actors across television and Bollywood have brought Lord Rama to life, each leaving a distinct mark on audiences and pop culture.

TV portrayals that defined generations

Arun Govil’s performance in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan (1987) remains the gold standard. His serene, divine presence made him a cultural icon, with many viewers treating him as a real-life embodiment of the deity. Gurmeet Choudhary followed in the 2008 remake, winning over younger audiences with his emotional depth. Ashish Sharma offered a fresh, humanised take in Siya Ke Ram (2015), which centred Sita’s perspective. Most recently, Sujay Reu stepped into the role in Shrimad Ramayan (2024), blending contemporary sensibility with traditional reverence.

Bollywood takes on the epic

On the big screen, Jeetendra portrayed Lord Rama in Luv Kush (1997), lending the mythological drama mainstream star appeal. More recently, Prabhas essayed the role in Adipurush (2023). Despite mixed critical reception, the film generated enormous debate and kept the epic alive in mainstream discourse.

Now, Ranbir Kapoor steps into what may be the most ambitious version yet.