Sony SAB’s Shrimad Ramayan brings to life the timeless saga of Lord Ram (Sujay Reu) and Sita (Prachi Bansal). In the show, Lord Ram and Sita are currently living apart, with Sita residing in an ashram in the forest where she has given birth to Luv (Shourya Mandoriya) and Kush (Atharva Sharma). However, Luv and Kush remain unaware that Lord Ram and Sita are their parents, while they have grown up hearing stories of Lord Ram’s heroism. Meanwhile, Sahastra Raavan (Praneet Bhatt) attempts to assert control and challenge Ram’s moral superiority.
Praneet Bhatt, known for his iconic portrayal of mythological characters previously, returns to the genre with another powerful role. This time, he takes on the character of Shastra Raavan in Shrimad Ramayan, bringing a new dimension to the legendary character. In a candid conversation, Praneet Bhatt shared more about his role and how his character stands out in this timeless saga:
How would you describe the significance of your role in Shrimad Ramayan?
In Sony SAB’s Shrimad Ramayan, I play the role of Sahastra Raavan, a thousand-headed terror and the older brother of Dashanand Raavan. He represents the peak of Asur’s power and uses his many faces to mislead and confuse people. His character embodies deception and manipulation.
How did you approach your role?
Many people are not very familiar with Sahastra Raavan and hence I have tried to portray him with a fresh perspective, bringing depth and complexity to the character. Preparing for this role, I studied Sahastra Raavan not just as a person who is out to destroy Ram Rajya, but as a figure driven by his immense knowledge, power, and desires. My character represents not only physical strength but also the many layers of his personality that reflect his grandeur, intelligence, and tragic downfall.
Were there any challenges in playing the character Sahastra Raavan? How did you tackle them?
Honestly, I didn’t know about Sahastra Raavan before the show’s writers narrated the character to me. I was very intrigued by his characteristics. It was a challenge to get into the character’s skin and truly understand his motives, so I surrendered myself to the creative team and followed their vision and direction. Their guidance made the challenge more like an opportunity to bring this character to life.
In your view, what is the significance of Sahastra Raavan in the larger narrative of Ramayan?
Sahastra Raavan plays a key role in the battle between good and evil, representing a higher level of deception beyond Dashanand Raavan. He tests the strength of Ram Rajya, which stands for peace and righteousness. Though he seeks to break the bond of truth through confusion, he fails to understand that Ram Rajya, supported by Lord Ram, Hanuman, Lakshman, and Sita, is built on principles that can endure any challenge. Ultimately, truth and dharma always prevail over falsehood.
What draws you to taking on mythological roles?
I’ve always been fascinated by the depth and complexity of mythological characters. To play these roles, an actor needs to understand the complexities of good and evil and how to show them on screen. It’s a rewarding experience to work on these shows and I believe working in mythological shows is like bringing a page out of history to life, which is both enriching and deeply fulfilling.
What has your experience been like working on the show so far?
Shooting for Shrimad Ramayan on Sony SAB has been an incredible experience. The whole team feels like a family, and they create a warm, collaborative environment where we all learn and grow together. Working on a show as iconic as Ramayan with such a passionate team has been truly rewarding.
