Before Ranbir Kapoor, Salman Khan Was Set to Play Lord Ram in Ramayana
Sohail Khan’s One ‘Mistake’ Led to the Project’s Collapse
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, is one of the most anticipated projects in Indian cinema. The film is reportedly being made with a staggering budget of Rs 4000 crore, and the nation is eagerly awaiting its release.
But did you know? Years ago, Salman Khan was all set to play the role of Lord Ram in a film adaptation of Ramayana.
Ranbir Kapoor in Ramayana
- Ranbir Kapoor will portray Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s mega project.
- Sai Pallavi has been cast as Sita, and Yash will play Ravana.
- The makers recently dropped the first teaser of the film, leaving fans wanting more.
- While fans await this grand retelling, a throwback trivia has resurfaced, sparking interest.
Salman Khan as Lord Ram?
Salman Khan’s Shocker
Did you know Salman Khan was originally supposed to play Lord Ram before Ranbir Kapoor?
According to reports in Mid-Day and India.com, Sohail Khan planned to adapt Ramayana in the early 1990s, casting Salman Khan in the lead role.
Sohail Khan’s Ramayana Project
- After his debut film Auzaar, Sohail Khan began working on a Bollywood adaptation of Ramayana.
- Reports suggest he had completed casting and Salman Khan had even started prepping for the role.
40 Percent of the Film Was Already Shot?
At the time, Salman Khan was already a household name. According to reports:
- Nearly 40 percent of the film had been shot.
- Salman Khan had started promotional activities, appearing in the get-up of Lord Ram.
Sonali Bendre as Sita?
On the casting front:
- Sonali Bendre was finalized as Maa Sita.
- Pooja Bhatt was also signed for an important role.
- However, an unexpected turn of events led to the film being shelved.
Did Sohail Khan Fall in Love With Pooja Bhatt?
Reports suggest that:
- Sohail Khan and Pooja Bhatt developed a close bond off-screen.
- This relationship allegedly contributed to the film going off the rails.
Why Did Pooja Bhatt Walk Out?
In a 1995 interview, Pooja Bhatt had spoken about marriage.
However:
- Salim Khan, Sohail Khan’s father, reportedly did not approve of the relationship.
- He advised Sohail Khan to end the relationship, leading Pooja Bhatt to walk out of the film.
Project Shelved
After Pooja Bhatt’s exit, the Ramayana project was eventually shelved.
This marked the end of Salman Khan’s portrayal of Lord Ram, making it one of Bollywood’s most intriguing what-could-have-been moments.
