Before Ranbir Kapoor, his great-grandfather Prithviraj played Lord Ram

Ranbir Kapoor's casting as Lord Ram comes with an unexpected legacy twist tied to early Indian cinema—one that dates back nearly a century.

As anticipation builds around Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, a fascinating piece of cinematic history has resurfaced. Nearly 92 years before this big-budget retelling, Ranbir’s great-grandfather, Prithviraj Kapoor, had already portrayed the same iconic role on screen.

The generational connection adds a unique layer to the upcoming film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari. With the first teaser set to release on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, the film is already drawing attention, not just for its scale, but for this rare legacy moment in Indian cinema.

The connection dates back to 1933, when Prithviraj Kapoor played Lord Ram in the Bengali film Seeta, directed by Debaki Bose. The film, produced by the East India Film Company, was a landmark project in early Indian cinema.

Seeta went on to achieve global recognition, becoming the first Indian talkie to be showcased at an international film festival. It earned an honorary diploma at the Venice International Film Festival in 1934, marking a significant milestone for Indian films on the world stage.

Ranbir Kapoor stepping into the role of Lord Ram nearly a century later creates a rare generational full circle. While Prithviraj Kapoor helped shape early Indian cinema, Ranbir now headlines one of its most ambitious modern productions.

The casting also highlights how the Kapoor family’s association with mythological storytelling spans decades, bridging the silent and early talkie era with contemporary cinema.