Salman Khan Was Once Set to Play Lord Ram Before Ranbir Kapoor in Ramayana Adaptation

Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming mythological epic Ramayana has stirred immense excitement following a recent first-look tease by producer Namit Malhotra.

Scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release, the film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and South Indian actor Yash as Ravan. With a massive budget and star-studded cast, the film has become one of the most awaited cinematic ventures.

However, as buzz around this ambitious project grows, an old chapter involving a shelved Ramayana adaptation from the 1990s, starring Salman Khan, has resurfaced.

Salman Khan’s Lost Opportunity as Lord Ram

Before Ranbir Kapoor was chosen for the iconic role, Salman Khan was initially cast as Lord Ram in a version of Ramayana directed by his brother, Sohail Khan.

Following the success of his directorial debut Auzaar, Sohail embarked on this ambitious mythological film. The project also included Sonali Bendre as Sita and Pooja Bhatt in a key role.

Nearly 40% of the film had been completed, and Salman had even begun promotional activities in his full Lord Ram costume—bow, arrow, and traditional attire included.

The visuals left fans eager to see the actor in a mythological role, but events behind the scenes led to an unexpected halt.

A Budding Romance Sparks Trouble

Reports from Mid-Day and India.com detail how during the filming of Ramayana, Sohail Khan and Pooja Bhatt developed a romantic relationship.

The connection grew serious, and in a 1995 interview, Bhatt even mentioned the possibility of marriage.

However, Salim Khan, the Khan family patriarch, reportedly disapproved of the relationship. He is believed to have advised Sohail to end things with Pooja, fearing complications. This advice led to tensions between the Khans and Bhatt.

Fallout and Film Cancellation

Following the growing strain, Pooja Bhatt walked out of the project. Her departure triggered a chain reaction that Salman could not reverse, despite his efforts to salvage the film.

With the cast unsettled and internal disputes unresolved, the film was shelved indefinitely.

As a result, the opportunity for Salman Khan and Sonali Bendre to portray two of the most iconic characters in Indian mythology was lost.

A Rebirth of Ramayana on an Unprecedented Scale

Now, nearly thirty years after that unfinished project, Ramayana is making a triumphant return—this time as a cinematic spectacle directed by Dangal and Chhichhore filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari.

The film is co-produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash and promises to be the most expensive Indian film ever made.

In a conversation with Prakhar Gupta, Namit Malhotra revealed that the duology has a staggering budget of USD 500 million (around ₹4000 crore), surpassing major Hollywood blockbusters like Dune, The Matrix sequels, and the Harry Potter finales.

A New Cast Takes on Legendary Roles

The modern Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as the formidable Ravan. The project will unfold in two parts, releasing globally on Diwali 2026 and Diwali 2027, respectively.

This retelling of the mythological classic is expected to redefine cinematic storytelling in India, merging mythology with cutting-edge visual effects and international production values.

Salman Khan’s Next Role: Battle of Galwan

While he missed out on Ramayana, Salman Khan is set to return in a powerful role as Colonel Santosh Babu in the upcoming war drama Battle of Galwan.

Based on the 2020 India-China border conflict, the film co-stars Chitrangada Singh and promises to be an intense cinematic experience.

A Forgotten Chapter in Bollywood’s Mythological Journey

As anticipation mounts for Tiwari and Malhotra’s Ramayana, the lesser-known tale of Salman Khan’s abandoned version remains an intriguing footnote in Bollywood history.

Though the film never reached completion, it marked an ambitious attempt to bring India’s greatest epic to life long before today’s grand productions.

This forgotten project reminds audiences of the unpredictable nature of filmmaking—where creative vision, personal dynamics, and timing all play crucial roles.