Kannada star Yash has stirred an intense debate with his recent comments on portraying Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious epic Ramayana. Calling the role “fascinating,” Yash opened up about the complexity of stepping into the shoes of one of mythology’s most debated characters.
Yash explained that his approach goes beyond the conventional depiction of Ravana as a one-dimensional villain. Instead, he is deeply invested in exploring the many layers of the character—his intellect, power, devotion, and inner conflicts.
“When you play such characters, you have to believe in them. Nobody does something thinking they are bad. They always have their own reasons,” Yash said, adding that he constantly reflected on Ravana’s mindset—his motivations, justifications, and emotional reasoning. He described the process as both challenging and creatively fulfilling.
However, his perspective didn’t sit well with a section of social media, where many users criticized the attempt to humanize Ravana, insisting that the demon king should be seen purely as a symbol of evil.
Weighing in on the controversy, producer Lagadapati Sridhar supported Yash’s viewpoint, calling it valid and rooted in a deeper understanding of epics.
“I think Yash’s perspective is right in his own way. Epics like Ramayana are meant to show different shades of human nature—what to do and what not to do,” Sridhar said. He emphasized that Ravana is not just a villain but a multi-layered personality—part warrior, part scholar, and a devout follower—embodying shades of white, grey, and dark.
At the same time, Sridhar acknowledged why the backlash was inevitable. Ravana, he noted, has long been perceived as the ultimate symbol of evil, especially in Indian culture. “We burn effigies of Ravana during Dussehra to signify the victory of good over evil. So naturally, audiences tend to see him only as the face of evil,” he explained.
This contrast, he added, is central to how the epic has been understood for generations—where Lord Rama represents the ideal of righteousness, while Ravana stands as a cautionary figure.
Drawing from cinema history, Sridhar also referenced the iconic portrayal of Ravana by N. T. Rama Rao in classics like Seetha Rama Kalyanam and Bhookailas. “NTR garu presented Ravana not just as a villain but also as a great devotee of Lord Shiva. That layered performance left a lasting impact on audiences,” he concluded.
