Actor Aarya Babbar has shared his views on two prominent portrayals of Ravana in Indian cinema, questioning the originality of Yash’s first look in Ramayana while defending Saif Ali Khan’s performance in Adipurush. In an exclusive interview with Variety India, Babbar discussed the creative choices behind both portrayals and highlighted the role directors play in shaping a character on screen.
Babbar, who is preparing to portray Ravana in the theatrical production Mahabali, also spoke about the importance of exploring the mythological figure beyond the conventional image of a villain.
Aarya Babbar Questions Yash’s Ravana Look in Ramayana
Discussing Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film Ramayana: Part 1, Aarya Babbar said Yash’s revealed appearance as Ravana did not seem significantly different from his look in the KGF franchise, particularly because of the beard.
Speaking to Variety India, Babbar said it was too early to judge Yash’s complete performance but expressed reservations about the character’s initial appearance.
“Honestly, it’s too early to comment on what he’s bringing to the character. I did not honestly feel that there is anything new in his look except the costumes. It’s pretty much the same beard that he’s had in ‘KGF’ before. It is not a new look per se that I’ve seen in ‘Ramayana’. I saw a new look of his in ‘Toxic’,” he said.
However, Babbar acknowledged that the full film could present a different side of the actor. He also noted that the project appears to be designed with an international audience in mind.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, alongside Yash as Ravana.
The ambitious project is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. Its music is being composed by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Advance bookings are scheduled to begin on October 20, 2026, coinciding with Dussehra.
Babbar Defends Saif Ali Khan’s Performance in Adipurush
While expressing reservations about Yash’s initial look in Ramayana, Babbar offered a different perspective on Saif Ali Khan’s portrayal of Lankesh, or Ravana, in Om Raut’s 2023 mythological film Adipurush.
The film, which starred Prabhas as Raghava (Rama) and Kriti Sanon as Janaki (Sita), faced considerable criticism over its dialogues, screenplay and visual effects. It also struggled to meet its reported production budget of INR 500–700 crore, earning an estimated INR 392.70 crore at the box office.
Babbar praised Saif’s performance and argued that an actor’s portrayal is closely linked to the director’s interpretation of a character.
“I think Saif was very good as Ravana. An actor is only as good as the director’s perception and interpretation. So whatever he played in ‘Adipurush’ is also something what the director must have made him perform. But he brought about a different kind of intensity to the character,” Babbar told Variety India.
He further maintained that actors should not be held entirely responsible for decisions concerning their characters’ appearance and presentation.
“His performance, his look, everything was a director’s interpretation. You cannot blame the actor for that,” he added.
Produced by T-Series Films and Retrophiles, Adipurush recorded an opening-day worldwide collection of INR 140 crore. Its worldwide weekend earnings reached USD 41 million, approximately INR 340 crore at the exchange rate cited in the report.
Aarya Babbar Explores Ravana’s Character in Mahabali
Beyond discussing the portrayals in Ramayana and Adipurush, Babbar spoke about his own preparation for playing Ravana in the theatrical production Mahabali.
He emphasised the need to approach mythological characters with depth and an understanding of their emotional and traditional significance, rather than portraying them through familiar villainous stereotypes.
Babbar credited director Kulvinder Bakshish Singh and writer Ashutosh Dwivedi for helping him develop a more layered interpretation of Ravana.
His comments highlight the different creative approaches filmmakers and theatre practitioners can take when adapting figures from Indian mythology. With Ramayana: Part 1 approaching its theatrical release, discussions surrounding the portrayal of Ravana continue to draw attention to the relationship between an actor’s performance and a director’s creative vision.