Ranbir Kapoor is all set to grace the silver screen as Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana on November 5, ahead of the Diwali 2026 weekend. The film will also see Sai Pallavi essay Sita and Yash play Ravana. While the actor’s transformation into the divine prince of Ayodhya has generated considerable anticipation, not many know that he is not the first member of the illustrious Kapoor family to essay the role on the big screen. Nearly 93 years ago, his great-grandfather, legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor, portrayed Lord Ram in one of Indian cinema’s early mythological films. But he was not the only one.
What Ranbir’s casting in , however, does is that it brings the Kapoor family’s cinematic journey full circle, connecting two generations through one of India’s most celebrated epics.
Nearly 93 years ago, Ranbir Kapoor’s great-grandfather, legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor, portrayed Lord Ram
Prithviraj Kapoor Played Lord Ram In 1933 Film Seeta
Long before the Kapoor family became one of the most influential dynasties in Hindi cinema, had already established himself as a prominent actor. In 1933, filmmaker Debaki Bose directed Seeta, a landmark Bengali talkie based on the Ramayana. The film was produced by the East India Film Company and subsequently received a Hindi release, taking its story to a wider audience.
Prithviraj Kapoor, then around 28 years old, played Lord Ram, while celebrated actress Durga Khote portrayed Goddess Sita. Gul Hamid essayed Lakshman, while Prithviraj’s younger brother, Trilok Kapoor, played Luv, ‘s son. The film holds a special place in Indian cinematic history. It was among the early Indian talkies to receive international recognition and was screened at the Venice International Film Festival in 1934, where it received an honorary diploma. Its achievement marked an important moment for Indian cinema on the global stage.
Prithviraj Kapoor’s younger brother, Trilok Kapoor, who played Luv in Seeta, went on to portray Lord Ram in several mythological films
Trilok Kapoor Also Played Lord Ram In Several Films
There is another interesting Kapoor family connection to the character. Prithviraj Kapoor’s younger brother, Trilok Kapoor, who played Luv in Seeta, went on to portray Lord Ram in several mythological films. He played the central character in Ram Bhakta Hanuman (1948) and reprised the role in Ram Janma (1951). His association with mythological cinema made him a familiar face in films based on Hindu epics and religious narratives.
Trilok Kapoor was also the uncle of , making him Ranbir’s great-granduncle. Thus, the character of Lord Ram has an even deeper connection with the Kapoor family than many might realise.
More than nine decades after Prithviraj Kapoor’s portrayal, Ranbir is preparing to step into the same iconic role in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana
Ranbir Kapoor Continues The Kapoor Family’s Ramayana Legacy
More than nine decades after Prithviraj Kapoor’s portrayal, Ranbir is preparing to step into the same iconic role in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. The two-part cinematic adaptation also features , Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Produced by Namit Malhotra, the ambitious project aims to bring the epic to life on an unprecedented cinematic scale. With international technical expertise, extensive visual effects and a celebrated ensemble cast, the film is among the most anticipated Indian productions.
From Prithviraj Kapoor’s black-and-white portrayal in Seeta to Ranbir’s technologically ambitious retelling, the Kapoor family’s association with Lord Ram spans nearly a century. Turns out, for the Kapoor khandaan, this is not just another mythological role – it is a remarkable cinematic legacy coming full circle.