Ashutosh Rana shares how Ramayan continues to resonate with the modern world

Veteran actor Ashutosh Rana, known for his intense screen presence and versatile acting, opened up about his profound theatrical project Humare Ram that he brings to tricity on Sunday, and his expansive cinematic journey.In a compelling interview, he reflected on the deeper significance of Ram, the intricate complexity of Ravan and how the Ramayan continues to resonate with the modern world.“Ramayan is not just a story — it’s a vilakshan katha (a magnificent tale),” Rana began, describing his stage production Humare Ram which has completed over 268 shows in a span of one and a half years. Unlike other renditions of the Ramayan, this play explores not just the virtues of Ram but the transformation of Ravan as well.“People often want to understand Ram, but they ignore Ravan,” he said. “But without understanding the antagonist, the protagonist remains incomplete. Ravan isn’t merely a villain — we may say his downfall came from ego, greed, and an insatiable hunger for power but he is the only character that goes through transformation and thus making him interesting and engaging.”For Rana, Humare Ram was not just a performance; it was a mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual journey. Before stepping onto the stage, he underwent deep introspection and rigorous preparation, immersing himself in the text and characters. In fact, his book Ramrajya, that has received recognition from the Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi, is also a bestseller. “For me it’s been a rather long journey that started with chintan (contemplation), lekhan (writing) and then bringing it on to the stage.”The play brings forward new perspectives by showcasing how every character touched by Ram is elevated — whether it is Hanuman, Bharat, Lakshman or even his adversaries. “Ram represents knowledge (gyan), Lakshman stands for detachment (vairagya), and Bharat symbolises love (prem) and Shatrushan is for courage (sahas),” he explained.Referencing Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, he delved into symbolism of yukti (skill), Shakti (strength) and bhakti (devotion), he shared, “Even Dasharath balanced the five karmendriyas and gyanendriyas (organs of action and perception), representing our own inner world,” he said, emphasizing that Ayodhya was not just a place —it was an inner state where peace reigned, and conflict was absent.Known for iconic roles in films like Dushman, Sangharsh, Mulk and Haasil, Rana has made a mark with performances that often showcased intensity and psychological depth. His early career was shaped by roles that tested his limits and allowed him to explore his range. “I was fortunate as an actor to get challenging roles right in the beginning of my career,” he said. As for training, he shares, “Some like me train and then join the profession, many others train on the job, while both are okay. Only that the one who is already trained focuses on action and is not result oriented and thus enjoying the journey better.”Rana fondly praises his wife, Renuka Shahane. “She is not just a brilliant actor, writer and director but also a supportive partner and a devoted daughter, wife and mother. “Having a partner like that has added depth and meaning to his life. Her companionship has accelerated my journey because not just she understands me as person but also my passion and profession!”Year 2025 is shaping up to be another amazing year for Rana, with an eclectic slate of films — Loveyapa, Chhaava, Kaushaljis vs Kaushal War 2 and Heer Express. From war dramas to social commentaries, and from historicals to family-oriented films, Rana is stepping into every genre with equal passion. “For an actor, it's golden to be able to explore all genres and I am grateful that I continue to do that.”Humare Ram, a theatrical production of the Ramayan, will be staged at Indershanush Auditorium in Panchkula on August 3. Tickets for the show, which features Ashutosh Rana as Ravan and Rahull R Bhuchar as Ram, are available on BookMyShow.

Ashutosh Rana shares how Ramayan continues to resonate with the modern world

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