Actor Sunil Lahri, who played Lakshman on the iconic ’80s TV show Ramayan, feels it will be hard for actors Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi to find “acceptance” as Ram and Sita.

“From the [leaked pics], I liked his look and he will look perfect in that role. But I don’t know how much people will accept him as Ram,” he says, reasoning: “I feel that you should take someone who has no image or baggage. After doing something like Animal (2023), recently, it will be very difficult for people to see him in a role as different as Shri Ram. In coming out with this, he has to crush his earlier performances.”

Pallavi, on the other hand, doesn’t fit Lahri’s personal standard in terms of looks. “I’m not very convinced. In my mind, Sita has a very beautiful and perfect-looking face, and I don’t think Sai’s face has that perfection,” the 63-year-old opines, adding, “I don’t know how they are going to make this actress look that attractive that Ravan would fall for her.”

Lahri is also circumspect of actor-MP Arun Govil, who played Ram in Ramayan, playing Dashrath in Tiwari’s film. “He’s crushing his own personality. If something like that was offered to me, I wouldn’t have done that. For that matter, I wouldn’t have said yes to any other role [in a film based on the Ramayana],” Lahri signs off.