Indira Krishnan Opens Up on Ranbir Kapoor's Humility on Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana Sets

Veteran actress Indira Krishnan, widely celebrated for her commanding screen presence across Indian television and Bollywood blockbusters such as Holiday: A Soldier Never Off Duty and Animal, has shared behind-the-scenes insights into director Nitesh Tiwari's much-awaited mythological epic, Ramayana (Part 1). Essaying the pivotal role of Lord Rama's mother, Mata Kaushalya, Krishnan revealed what sets lead actor Ranbir Kapoor apart as a consummate professional on set. Having shared screen space with him earlier in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, the actress highlighted that despite being one of the country's biggest superstars, Ranbir treats every collaborator with equal dignity, standing up on his feet to deliver spoken dialogue cues even to the most junior artists during long filming schedules.Unmatched Set Etiquette: Ranbir Kapoor's Dedication and Personal WarmthReflecting on her shooting experience alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Indira Krishnan praised the superstar's humility and complete lack of hierarchy on film sets:Zero Superiority Complex: The veteran artist pointed out that Ranbir never once treated her differently because of her extensive television background, showering her with warmth, mutual respect, and collaborative space throughout their scenes.Standing for Junior Artists' Cues: Calling attention to a rare quality among top-tier stars, Krishnan shared that while many industry actors do not even stand up to give off-camera dialogue cues to co-actors, Ranbir personally stood up to deliver precise voice cues for every performer, including junior background artists.A Heartfelt Gift for Baby Raha: Highlighting their off-screen bond during the epic's production schedule, Krishnan shared that she brought specially chosen children's books to the set to gift Ranbir and Alia Bhatt's daughter, Raha Kapoor.Breaking the Tough-Mother Trope: Embracing Mata Kaushalya's Gentle GraceHaving made an indelible mark playing assertive, commanding women on television, Krishnan described landing the role of Mata Kaushalya as a validating artistic milestone:A Shift from Dominant Roles: On television—most recently through her portrayal of the formidable Thakurani Durgavati in Ganga Mai Ki Betiyaan, which drew viewer comparisons to Sivagami from Baahubali—she is routinely cast in fierce, imposing parts.Director Nitesh Tiwari's Vision: The actress credited filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari for seeing past typecasts and placing trust in her capability to portray the delicate tenderness, quiet grace, and emotional vulnerability demanded by Queen Kaushalya.Faith in a Magnum Opus: Expressing confidence in the creative execution, Krishnan stated that the team adhered precisely to the filmmaker's nuanced direction, assuring audiences that Ramayana will emerge as a cinematic spectacle of historic proportions.26-Year Industry Perspective: The Evolution of TV and Women's Economic EmpowermentWith a career spanning over a quarter-century since her debut under director Anurag Basu in Manzilein Apni Apni, Krishnan offered candid reflections on television's commercial shifts and the real-world impact of storytelling:Commercialization vs Creative Passion: Recalling her early television days when she began with a modest fee of ₹3,000, she noted that modern daily soaps often compromise creative nuance for tight budget management and hurried production deadlines.Real-World Women's Empowerment: The actress looked back on her iconic title role in Krishnaben Khakhrawala, which inspired hundreds of homemakers across Gujarat and Rajasthan to launch their own successful cottage manufacturing enterprises, such as the prominent Riddhi-Siddhi Khakhra company that still sends batches to her residence in gratitude.Message for Modern Youth: Emphasizing resilience over despair, Krishnan encouraged the younger generation to cultivate emotional perseverance, support one another during crises, and refuse to abandon their ambitions when confronted with challenging circumstances.