Yash's Ravana Look in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana', Defends Saif Ali Khan in 'Adipurush'

The artistic representation of Lankapati Ravana on the silver screen has returned to the center of cinematic debate following candid commentary from veteran actor-politician Raj Babbar's elder son, Arya Babbar. As director Nitesh Tiwari gears up to present his magnum opus Ramayana: Part 1, anticipation surrounding Kannada superstar Yash's look as the ten-headed demon king has been soaring. However, Babbar—who is preparing to portray the legendary king of Lanka himself in an upcoming theatrical production titled Mahabali—shared an unconventional critique during an interaction with Variety India. Not only did he express disappointment with Yash's look, but he also came out in strong defense of Saif Ali Khan's heavily scrutinized turn as Lankesh in Om Raut's Adipurush.

Defending Saif Ali Khan's 'Lankesh': Why Director's Vision Dictates Character Design

While Om Raut's 2023 visual epic Adipurush faced severe public pushback and internet mockery over its dialogue choices and stylized aesthetics, Babbar argued that the brunt of the criticism unfairly targeted the lead performer:

• Actor Working Within Directorial Framework: Babbar emphasized that a performer's physical appearance and stylistic mannerisms mirror the director's conceptual framework, stating that Saif Ali Khan simply executed what Om Raut envisioned.

• Underappreciated Screen Intensity: The actor pointed out that beyond the polarizing haircut and modern styling, Khan brought a menacing, palpable intensity to the character that stood out across his dramatic confrontations.

• Shielding Performers From Flawed Execution: Insisting that blame should not be laid at the doorstep of the actor, Babbar noted that creative choices regarding visual appearance, CGI enhancements, and character tone remain executive directorial responsibilities.

'Nothing New Beyond Costumes': Why Yash's Beard Draws Comparison to 'KGF'

Turning his analytical lens to Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming high-budget retelling, Babbar voiced skepticism about Yash's first-look silhouette as Ravana:

• Repetitive Facial Styling: Babbar questioned whether the design team truly pushed creative boundaries for the mythological role, pointing out that Yash's signature beard and grooming appear practically identical to his iconic Rocky Bhai styling from the KGF franchise.

• Contrast With Upcoming Projects: Highlighting the actor's look in his upcoming project Toxic, Babbar noted that while the Kannada star adopted a distinct, fresh appearance for that crime saga, his aesthetic in Ramayana lacks visual reinvention beyond traditional regal attire.

• High Hopes for Performance Delivery: Despite his critique of the visual design, Babbar expressed immense respect for Yash's screen presence, adding that he hopes the actor brings an entirely different emotional depth, voice texture, and psychological variation throughout the narrative to transcend the visual similarities.

Mega-Budget 'Ramayana: Part 1' Set for November 5 Theatrical Launch: Cast and Budget Details

Nitesh Tiwari's mythological enterprise stands as one of the most heavily financed productions in the history of Indian cinema:

• Massive ₹400-Crore Production Scale: Built on a production outlay touching ₹400 crore, the production utilizes cutting-edge VFX, massive practical sets, and global action choreographers to recreate the ancient epic.

• Ensemble Cast Roster: The project stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi in the revered role of Mata Sita, and popular television and web star Ravi Dubey as Laxman, alongside Yash anchoring the adversarial role of Ravana.

• Diwali Theatrical Debut: The first chapter of the two-part mythological saga is slated for a worldwide release on November 5, 2026, aiming to draw record crowds across multiple Indian and international languages.