Mumbai: Actor Nitish Bharadwaj, who played Lord Krishna in BR Chopra’s iconic 1988 television series Mahabharat, was among the first celebrities to praise Ramayana after its trailer was released. The actor even predicted that the film would win an Oscar. However, Nitish changed his stance after watching the film and went on to criticise the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer, saying it misrepresents India’s history and heritage. The actor expressed his disappointment with the makers’ portrayal of Ravana, played by Yash, as a fair and socially just character.
According to him, this changes the moral framework of the epic. He wrote on Instagram, “The Ramayan is not just a story. It is deeply rooted in the civilizational and spiritual consciousness of Sanatan Bharat. Its heroes, heroine and antagonist are integral to the values and message of this Mahakavya. Their character and significance cannot be casually redefined. Mahavishnu took the Ram Avatar to uphold Dharma, parampara and establish Maryada. By presenting Ravan as an exceptionally liberal, socially just and fair figure, the film, in my view, alters the moral framework of the Ramayan and undermines the very purpose of avataar.” He revealed that he was withdrawing his earlier social media post in which he had praised the film after watching its trailer.
Earlier, after watching the film’s trailer, Nitish had taken to social media to praise the makers and predict a major international recognition for the film. He had written, “100% Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Nitesh Tiwari is Bharat’s next gift to world cinema after Satyajit Rai and Shekhar Kapoor.”