Ranbir Kapoor Replaced Salman Khan To Play Ram In Ramayana After Sohail Khan's 'Mistake'
Salman Khan was once set to play Lord Ram in a Ramayana film. A reported fallout involving Sohail Khan and Pooja Bhatt allegedly cost him the role, now played by Ranbir Kapoor.
Long before Ranbir Kapoor was locked in as Lord Ram for Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra's epic Ramayana, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was reportedly in line to play the divine role. With anticipation mounting for Tiwari's two-part cinematic retelling—slated to release its first installment on Diwali 2026—a curious chapter from the '90s has resurfaced, revealing that Salman had once even donned the bow and arrow for a different Ramayana project helmed by none other than his brother, Sohail Khan.
As per reports from Mid-Day and India.com, Sohail had announced a film based on the Ramayana back in the early 1990s, during his initial stint as a director following his debut with Auzaar. Salman Khan was roped in to play Lord Ram, with Sonali Bendre cast as Sita. The buzz around the project grew when actor-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt also came on board.
In fact, nearly 40 percent of the film had reportedly been shot, and Salman had even begun promotional work, appearing in full Ram avatar—complete with traditional attire, bow, and arrow. But the film never saw the light of day. What derailed the project wasn't creative differences or budgetary constraints—but a budding off-screen relationship.
According to insiders, romance blossomed between Sohail Khan and Pooja Bhatt during the film's shoot. Pooja had even spoken about marriage during a 1995 interview, indicating the relationship had grown serious. However, when their father, legendary screenwriter Salim Khan, learned about the relationship, he reportedly advised Sohail to step away.
Although Salman tried to maintain peace and salvage the film, things took a turn. Pooja, upset with the cold reception from the Khan family, is said to have exited the film, effectively bringing the entire production to a halt. As a result, the project was shelved indefinitely—and Salman's portrayal of Lord Ram remained an unrealized dream.
Now, nearly three decades later, the Ramayana has found new life under Tiwari's direction with Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as the formidable Ravana. But for those who remember Bollywood in the '90s, the tale of Salman Khan's lost Ramayana remains a fascinating 'what could have been."
First Published:
July 19, 2025, 15:22 IST
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