"Living in a Dream World": Actor Chetan Hansraj Slams Critics Targeting Ranbir Kapoor and VFX in Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana' Trailer

The much-anticipated trailer release of Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming magnum opus Ramayana has sparked widespread internet debate, drawing a mix of anticipation, criticism over visual effects, and scrutiny regarding the film's stellar casting choices. Addressing the growing wave of social media backlash, actor Chetan Hansraj—who essays the pivotal demonic role of 'Mali' in the two-part epic—has fiercely defended the makers, cast, and creative vision behind the project. Dismissing online detractors who targeted the movie's computer-generated imagery, Hansraj labeled critics as "keyboard VFX superstars" and asserted that internet trolls are simply "living in a dream world" without realizing the monumental scale and meticulous planning that has gone into the production.

Praising Ranbir Kapoor's Portrayal and Highlighting the Scale of the Film

A significant portion of the online criticism has centered around the casting of Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, with certain internet users questioning his suitability for the iconic mythological role. Breaking his silence on the casting debate, Hansraj offered high praise for his co-star, stating that Ranbir's performance is brilliant and that his visual transformation captures the character's divine essence perfectly. He also lauded co-star Sai Pallavi and emphasized that director Nitesh Tiwari alongside producer Namit Malhotra spent extensive months on deep research and careful deliberations before finalizing the ensemble. Furthermore, Hansraj noted that brief snippets in a promotional trailer can never accurately reflect the breathtaking cinematic scale awaiting audiences on the big screen.

An Unforgettable Experience and Star-Studded Cast Lineup

Reflecting on his personal journey working on the ambitious cinematic venture, Chetan Hansraj revealed that his time on set was deeply rewarding. Having spent decades in the entertainment industry, he remarked that his 20 days of shooting for Ramayana rank among the absolute highlights of his long career, while also praising co-star Yash for his exemplary humility and professionalism on set. Backed by a powerhouse star cast featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, Arun Govil, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, and Vivek Oberoi, the first installment of Ramayan is slated to hit theaters worldwide on Diwali 2026.