- Ranbir Kapoor reportedly followed a completely vegetarian diet throughout the Ramayana filming process.
- Co-star Indira Krishnan revealed that he worked out for three hours in the morning and another two to three hours in the evening.
- His vanity reportedly remained stocked with fruits.
- Ranbir's casting had attracted criticism over his past comments about beef and his role in Animal.
- Indira praised his dedication to portraying Lord Rama both on and off camera.
Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor's transformation into Lord Rama for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana reportedly involved more than physical preparation and costume changes. The actor also changed his eating habits, followed a completely vegetarian diet and committed to an intense fitness routine to embody the mythological character on screen.
Indira Krishnan, who plays Kaushalya, Lord Rama's mother in the film, has now revealed details about Ranbir's lifestyle during the shoot. In an interview with Filmygyan, she said the actor remained vegetarian throughout the preparation and filming process, while maintaining a demanding workout schedule.
According to Indira, Ranbir's commitment extended beyond what audiences would see on screen. She recalled that he regularly ate fruits, exercised for several hours and maintained a disciplined routine while working on the film.
"He was completely a vegetarian in this entire process. Because I have seen he would eat fruits, work out a lot-3 hours in the morning and 2-3 hours in the evening. So he had a regime. I had almost been living with him on the set. Even his vanity had fruits. He was completely on the path to create Shri Rama inside and out. Even the way he used to talk and behave with people. He used to talk about Raha's education, always used to grab knowledge about which course he should get for Raha. He is an all-rounder, fabulous actor and fabulous father."
Her comments offer a glimpse into the preparation behind Ranbir's portrayal of Lord Rama, particularly his decision to follow a vegetarian diet throughout the process. However, Indira did not specify whether the dietary change was permanent or whether Ranbir followed a particular nutritional plan.
Why Ranbir's vegetarian diet became a talking point
Ranbir's casting as Lord Rama had attracted criticism even before the film's promotional material was released. Some viewers questioned his suitability for the role because of a 2011 interview in which he had described himself as a "big beef fan".
His portrayal of Ranvijay Singh in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal, a character associated with aggression and violence, also became part of the public debate surrounding his casting.
Indira defended the actor against the criticism and said she had personally witnessed his commitment to the role.
"We have this mentality that if someone is growing and is trying to perform a new character, we have a lot of audience who pull them down and troll them. I have also met people who couldn't believe Ranbir played Lord Rama."
She also revealed that the two actors developed a close bond during filming. Having previously worked together on Animal, Indira described Ranbir as supportive and said he often sought her opinion about his scenes.
A demanding transformation for Ramayana
Ranbir's preparation reportedly involved five to six hours of exercise across the morning and evening sessions, alongside a fruit-based diet during filming. Indira also recalled that he would express an interest in eating South Indian food.
She said she spent considerable time with him on set and observed how his approach to the character extended to his everyday interactions with people.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend features Ranbir as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The two-part mythological epic also stars Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal and Vivek Oberoi.
The film, reportedly mounted on a budget of approximately $448 million, was released on November 5, 2026. Its reported domestic box office collection has crossed $56 million.
While the film's scale and visual spectacle have attracted attention, Indira's account has brought the spotlight back to the actor's personal preparation. For Ranbir, playing Lord Rama involved a disciplined approach to food, fitness and behavior, according to his on-screen mother.
