Ashutosh Rana's dream role brings Ramayana to life in Humare Ram

The National

3 days ago

It's been a busy year for acclaimed Indian actor Ashutosh Rana, 57. From the rom-com Loveyapa to historical blockbuster Chhaava and the spy thriller War 2, releasing on Thursday, the actor's seamless transition between genres and characters is proof of why he remains one of the country's most respected performers.
"But I'm not talented. I'm just greedy," he jokes.
Yet, despite his success on the big screen, Rana's proudest role this year is on stage, where he stars as the complex antagonist Ravan in the theatrical spectacle Humare Ram. Based on the Indian epic Ramayana, the show – which has been performed more than 270 times across India in the past year – will make its international debut with a four-day run at the Dubai Opera starting on Thursday.
Weaving together lesser-known episodes from the ancient tale with high-tech production and visuals, Humare Ram offers a fresh and immersive retelling of the Ramayana – a tale of duty, devotion and the triumph of good over evil. It follows prince Ram, a major Hindu deity, through his 14-year exile with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. When Sita is abducted by the demon king Ravan, a bloody war ensues. The epic ends with Ram's victory and triumphant return to Ayodhya as king.
Starring alongside Rana are playwright Rahull R Bhuchar as Ram and Harleen Kaur Rekhi as Sita, among others. The show also features music by some of the biggest names in India, including Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan and Kailash Kher.
For Rana, best known for his villainous roles in films such as Dushman and Sangharsh, playing Ravan was a lifelong dream.
'He's a character with many shades and depths," he tells The National. 'Ravan has all the sur [notes]. Like music has seven surs, missing even one makes the orchestra incomplete. Ravan embodies all those surs."
Rana's fascination with the Ramayana began early in his career in the 1990s, when he honed his craft as a theatre actor in Ram Leela performances or dramatic enactments of Ram's life traditionally staged during the autumn festival of Navratri.
In 2020, he authored the book Ramrajya, which explores the concept of an ideal state based on Ram's values.
He views Ramayana not just as a religious story, but as a guide to dharma or the way of life that elevates both the individual and society. 'If you want to be a better friend, leader or human being, Ramayana offers all those lessons. It's full of grace, gratitude and the wisdom to live a meaningful life," he says.
"If you want to establish or polish yourself, Ramayana has all the ingredients. For example, you are a journalist and I am an actor. If we follow the dharma of journalists or actors, we will produce fantastic work. Ramayana teaches how to follow and fulfill dharma."
Rana says the Humare Ram 's universal themes, combined with its grand scale, have helped broaden its appeal with a cross-section of audiences – and even sparked renewed interest in Indian theatre.
" Humare Ram 's huge commercial success showed people theatre can be a thriving industry. Now many big production houses are investing in theatre," he says. "And now we're taking Humare Ram abroad, including Dubai, and I hope many more artists will be doing shows internationally.
"You need content that touches the soul and heart. If the content is bad, even a big-budget film won't succeed. If the content is fantastic and presented with grace and honour, people will love it and support it."
As an actor, it makes little difference whether he's performing before a camera or on stage, he adds.
"Honesty is the most important thing, whether on film or on stage," he says. "The biggest difference is the communication and connection you get from performing live. That interaction is satisfying and unique to theatre.
"Also, meeting people who've transformed because they saw this show is very fulfilling. If this art can make someone a better human being, that's fantastic."
Playing Ravan has not only been fulfilling, but also an education, he says. And even after 276 shows over one and a half years, he's not slowing down any time soon.
"Acting is my passion, which luckily is also my profession and education. When your education, passion, and profession meet, you don't get tired. And this role is exactly that for me," he says.
"There are billions of people in the world. I want every human being to watch this play at least once. We will take it as far as we can."
Humare Ram is running at the Dubai Opera from Thursday to Sunday, with two shows a day on the last two days. The show is performed in Hindi. Tickets start at Dh180.