From the silver screen to television screens across India, the timeless tale of Lord Ram has captivated audiences for decades. As the nation commemorates the first anniversary of the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya on January 22, 2025, we revisit the actors who brought the epitome of righteousness to life, earning eternal love from fans.
South Indian cinema has long revered the Ramayana, with legends like N.T. Rama Rao leading the way. The veteran actor portrayed Ram in classics such as ‘Lava Kusa,’ ‘Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham,’ and ‘Sita Rama Kalyanam.’ His commanding presence made these roles unforgettable, blending devotion with cinematic grandeur.
Jr. NTR, the superstar’s grandson, stepped into the divine shoes as young Ram in the 1997 film ‘Bala Ramayanam.’ Directed by Gunasekhar, this children’s epic focusing on the forest exile won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film. Jr. NTR’s innocent yet heroic portrayal alongside Smita Madhav as Sita charmed young hearts nationwide.
Sobhan Babu embodied Ram in the 1972 Telugu extravaganza ‘Sampoorna Ramayanam,’ with Chandrakala as Sita. The film remains a benchmark for mythological storytelling. Similarly, Nandamuri Balakrishna took on the role in ‘Sri Rama Rajyam,’ supported by Nayanthara as Sita and Srikanth as Lakshman, delivering a visually stunning tribute to Ram’s reign.
In Bollywood, Arun Govil became synonymous with Lord Ram through Ramanand Sagar’s iconic 1980s TV series ‘Ramayan.’ Airing to massive viewership, it turned Govil into a household deity, a reverence that persists today. Fans still bow to him as their on-screen idol.
Jeetendra played Ram in the 1987 film ‘Lav Kush,’ with Jaya Prada as Sita and Arun Govil ironically as Lakshman. Based on the Uttara Kanda, it didn’t set the box office ablaze but added to the legacy. Gurmeet Choudhary revived the role in the 2008-09 series ‘Ramayan,’ earning the ‘Most Promising New Talent’ award, with wife Debina Banerjee as Sita.
Ashish Sharma’s nuanced Ram in ‘Siya Ke Ram’ won critical acclaim, pairing with Madirakshi Mundle as Sita and Karan Suchak as Lakshman. The show delved deep into emotional layers of the epic.
Most recently, Prabhas donned the role of Raghava in 2023’s ‘Adipurush,’ alongside Kriti Sanon as Sita and Saif Ali Khan as Ravana. Despite mixed reviews, it sparked global conversations on modern retellings of ancient lore.
These portrayals keep Lord Ram’s ideals of dharma, sacrifice, and devotion alive, inspiring generations in an ever-changing world.