Yash and Ranbir Kapoor to hardly share screen space in Ramayan?

Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of Ramayan is one of the most anticipated films in recent memory, not just for its scale and storytelling, but also for its powerful cast, headlined by Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as the antagonist Raavan.

Interestingly, despite both being the marquee names attached to the project, the two actors will barely share screen space in the film.Sources close to the production informed ETimes," The makers have chosen to stay true to the original Valmiki text, where Lord Ram and Raavan do not encounter each other through most of the epic. Their worlds remain apart, their stories unfolding in parallel until destiny brings them face-to-face in the climactic battle.

As per the original narrative, Ram learns of Raavan’s existence only after Sita’s abduction, and the two never meet until the battlefield confrontation in Lanka.

"This decision by Tiwari and his team adds an interesting creative layer to the film. By keeping Ranbir and Yash’s characters separated, the film builds anticipation for their eventual showdown. The audience will see their contrasting journeys — one rooted in dharma and righteousness, the other in ego and power — without immediate interaction, making their final confrontation even more impactful. Yash will, though, have scenes with Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita, and Sunny Deol, who plays Hanuman. Though there was news about Yash having scenes with Ranbir, Ranbir is currently shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 'Love & War' with Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt, and he has a certain look in the film.

Also, the shooting of the film has been delayed, and it won't be possible to change his look to shoot for Ramayan. The production is currently underway on massive sets in the city. The film is being made in two installments, the first one releasing in Diwali 2026 and the second one during Diwali of 2027. While Ranbir Kapoor has already completed his portions, Yash began filming his portions after visiting the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain at the start of May. The decision to limit their screen presence together underlines the makers' commitment to respecting the original epic’s structure while delivering a contemporary cinematic experience. In an era where star-driven projects often engineer extra interactions between big names to fuel fan excitement, Ramayan’s disciplined storytelling approach stands out, promising a faithful and immersive retelling of the timeless classic.