Recent reports suggest that Ranbir Kapoor was not the first choice to play Lord Ram in the upcoming "Ramayana" epic; Salman Khan was considered for the role much earlier. However, due to circumstances involving Salman's brother, Sohail Khan, the opportunity reportedly slipped away.

According to these reports, Sohail Khan, who had directed the film "Auzaar," had plans for a "Ramayana" adaptation in the early 1990s. Salman Khan was supposedly cast as Ram, with Sonali Bendre, his co-star from "Hum Saath-Saath Hain," set to play Sita. Pooja Bhatt was also said to have joined the project.

It's believed that approximately 40% of the film was completed, and Salman Khan had even begun promoting the film in his Ram persona, complete with a bow and arrow. However, rumors of a relationship between Sohail Khan and Pooja Bhatt began circulating, which allegedly led to the project being shelved and Salman missing out on the role.

Now, years later, Ranbir Kapoor is headlining Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra's "Ramayana," a two-part cinematic saga. The first part is slated for release on Diwali 2026. This new adaptation is generating considerable buzz, with a star-studded cast and a massive budget.

Ranbir Kapoor is reportedly dedicating himself to the role of Lord Ram. Sai Pallavi will star opposite him as Sita. Yash, known for his role in "KGF," has been cast as Ravana. Sunny Deol will portray Hanuman. The cast also includes Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, and Arun Govil, who famously played Ram in the Ramanand Sagar's TV series, as King Dasharath. Other notable cast members include Amitabh Bachchan as Jatayu, Kunal Kapoor as Lord Indra, and Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari.

"Ramayana" is being made on a budget of approximately Rs 835 crore (USD 100 million) for the first part, making it the most expensive Indian film ever made. International talent, including Terry Notary and Guy Norris for action choreography and production designers Ravi Bansal and Ramsey Avery, have been brought on board.

Ranbir Kapoor is reportedly earning Rs 75 crore per installment, totaling Rs 150 crore for both parts. Yash is said to be earning Rs 50 crore for each segment, bringing his total fee to Rs 100 crore. Sai Pallavi is reportedly charging Rs 6 crore for each part, resulting in an overall payout of Rs 12 crore. Sunny Deol is reportedly receiving Rs 20 crore for each installment, amounting to Rs 40 crore overall.

With its grand vision, stellar cast, and high production value, "Ramayana" is poised to be a significant cinematic event.