⁠⁠⁠Before Yash In Ramayana: 7 Actors Who Played Ravan

Before Yash takes on the role of Ravan in Ramayana, several actors have portrayed the legendary king on screen. From iconic television performances to memorable film roles, here is a look at the actors who played the mighty Lanka ruler before him.

With Yash set to play Ravan in Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming Ramayana, all eyes are on how the actor brings the powerful Lanka king to life on screen. But before him, several actors have taken on the challenging role of Ravan in films and television shows. From Arvind Trivedi's iconic portrayal in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan to the actors who brought their own style to the character, here is a look at the stars who played Ravan before Yash.

Arvind Trivedi remains one of the most remembered actors to have played Ravan on television. Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan follows Lord Ram's journey, his exile and his battle against the king of Lanka. Trivedi played Ravan as a powerful and proud ruler who was also highly knowledgeable. His strong voice, expressions and commanding presence made the character memorable, while his portrayal also showed Ravan's ego and anger.

Unlike shows that mainly focus on Lord Ram, this series explores the life of Ravan, from his early years to his rise as the king of Lanka. Narendra Jha played the adult Ravan, also known as Dashanan. His portrayal focused on Ravan's ambition, intelligence, family relationships and desire for power, giving viewers a closer look at the character beyond his role as the main antagonist.

This version of Ramayan, produced by Anand Sagar, starred Gurmeet Choudhary as Ram and Debina Bonnerjee as Sita. Akhilendra Mishra played Ravan as a powerful king who believed in his own strength and knowledge. His intense expressions and authoritative acting helped establish Ravan as a formidable opponent for Ram. His performance gave the character a serious and intimidating presence throughout the series.

This mythological series tells stories about Lord Shiva and other figures from Hindu mythology, including Ravan, who is a devoted follower of Shiva. Tarun Khanna played Ravan, highlighting his devotion, immense strength and pride. His portrayal showed the contrast between Ravan's faith and his desire to prove his power. His strong screen presence made him a memorable part of the show's mythological storyline.

Siya Ke Ram retells the Ramayana with greater focus on Sita's perspective and her journey. Karthik Jayaram played Ravan as a powerful and intelligent ruler whose pride eventually leads to his downfall. His portrayal brought a mix of authority, confidence and arrogance to the character. The show's storytelling also explored the people and events around Ravan, giving audiences more context about his place in the epic.

Mani Ratnam's film offers a modern take on the Ramayana, with Abhishek Bachchan playing Beera, a character inspired by Ravan. Beera is a tribal leader who kidnaps Ragini, played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, setting off a conflict with her husband, a police officer played by Vikram. Bachchan portrayed Beera as unpredictable, angry and emotionally complex, making him more than a straightforward villain. The film explores his motives and the grey areas between right and wrong.

Directed by Om Raut, Adipurush is a modern retelling of the Ramayana, with Prabhas playing Raghava and Saif Ali Khan playing Lankesh, the film's version of Ravan. Khan presented the character as a powerful ruler with a fierce personality and a desire to defeat Ram. His look featured dark costumes, armour and a contemporary design that differed from traditional television portrayals. His interpretation sparked considerable discussion among audiences.