Becoming Ravan in Hamare Ram: Ashutosh Rana on Acting as Salvation

Tell us about the play ‘Hamare Ram’

Hamare Ram is based on the Ramayana, the story of Ram. By the grace of God, we have completed 286 shows in just one and a half years. We are now coming to Hyderabad for the third time, performing at Shilpakala Vedika on August 30 and 31. What makes this play different is that it presents the epic from a new perspective and also brings in lesser-known stories from the Ramayana. That’s why audiences have connected with it deeply, and that’s what inspires us to keep performing with the same passion.

What do you think makes this epic so timeless?

When you listen to or watch a story and you find yourself in it—when it elevates you as a human being—you return to it again and again. That sense of elevation is present in this play. People see their own reflection in the story. As a society, we always seek growth—whether in attitude, culture, or behavior. When a story gives you that sense of growth and fulfillment, you cherish it.

The Ramayana has that quality. It’s not just a narrative; it’s a mirror. That’s why we read it repeatedly, why we keep watching it in different forms. Each time, it brings us joy, a sense of connection, and a reminder of the values we want to live by.

You have often said Ravan embodies “all the surs of life.” If Ram represents maryada (discipline), what quality does Ravan represent most strongly?

If Ram embodies maryada, so does Ravan—but in a different way. We maintain maryada even with friends, and Ravan maintained it with his enemies. He was a die-hard devotee of Shiva and a die-hard adversary of Narayan. Both sides of his life were extraordinary.

Think of music—it has seven surs. Ravan’s character, too, carries all the surs of life. That’s why he is such a powerful, multi-dimensional figure. And remember, it was Ravan who gave Ram the opportunity to transcend human form and be recognized as Narayan. The one who transforms Nar into Narayan is a remarkable, unforgettable character. That is Ravan.

If you were to set Hamare Ram in today’s world, what aspects of Ram and Ravan would resonate most?

That’s the beauty of the Ramayana—it is always relevant. It was relevant when it was written, it is relevant now, and it will remain relevant in the future. It contains everything a society or an individual needs to evolve. Follow its path, and you grow—both personally and collectively. That’s why we call it the greatest epic, not just of India, but of the world.

You have played Colonel Luthra in War 2 and Ravan on stage. Which role makes you feel more powerful—the modern intelligence officer or the mythological king?

Anytime, every time—the mythological king.

Mythology is eternal. Facts may be debated—like the exact date of Ram’s birth—but the truth of Ram, Sita, Lakshman, or Ravan will always remain. These truths live within us, which is why these stories continue to be retold.

A Colonel Luthra may exist here or there, but Ram and Ravan live within each one of us. Their traits, their struggles, their emotional journeys—you can find them everywhere, even within yourself. That’s why mythological characters always tempt me, always pull me back. I would always choose to be part of such stories.

After playing such intense roles, how do you return to being just Ashutosh Rana?

I don’t create characters—I break Ashutosh Rana.

Every time I break myself, I discover something new. This breaking helps me shed the intensity of the role and return to my own being. For me, acting is not just a profession—it is a path of self-discovery, even salvation. We all carry many shades within us. Through acting, I get to explore those shades, understand myself more deeply, and that makes me feel fulfilled.

You have written about Ramrajya as an ideal state. If Ravan were to write his own book, what would he call it?

If Ravan were to write his own story, he would actually write Ram’s story. Because Ravan and Ram are two sides of the same coin. Ram’s journey leads him to Ravan, and Ravan’s journey leads him to Ram.

In the end, it is like a drop dissolving into the ocean—it loses itself, yet becomes part of something eternal. That is Ravan’s journey too. If he were to write his book, perhaps he would call it Marching Towards Ram, Discovering Ram, or simply Finding Ram in Me. Because ultimately, his story is Ram’s story too.