Harish Uthaman’s journey from a South‑Indian villain to a mythic voice in a ₹4,000‑crore blockbuster feels like a plot twist in itself—he’d been on a one‑year sabbatical, turning down police and gangster gigs that never moved beyond a costume.
But now, as Vibhishana, the righteous brother of Ravana, his voice carries a weight that’s new to him, a weight that’s earned after years of playing the same archetype.
The real buzz, however, is the single scene he shares with Ranbir Kapoor, the man who played Ram. “I’ve seen Ranbir in a frame once, and the way he throws an emotion at the camera—every nuance, every pause—it’s a lesson in itself,” Harish says, eyes lighting up. The energy of the younger star leaps off the set and makes Harish’s own performance feel alive.
The film is a juggernaut of scale, too—Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman’s scores swirl over a budget that’s a record for an Indian mythological epic. Yash, who plays Sita, and Sai Pallavi, who portrays Sita’s sister, add star power that pulls the audience into a world that’s both familiar and fresh.
Director Nitesh Tiwari is known for his meticulous dialogue choices; he insisted the same line be delivered in different tones to keep the story’s rhythm alive over two parts that stretch to six hours. Harish admits the challenge is to keep the myth’s essence intact while delivering a cinematic spectacle—an ambition that’s as daring as it is ambitious.
The release is set for Diwali, November 5, a date that promises maximum footfall. Harish hopes the film’s grandeur and the chance to “be seen differently” will rewrite how viewers and critics view him. “If audiences notice this Vibhishana, maybe they’ll see me beyond the police officer or villain,” he says. The next chapter is the audience’s reaction, and Harish’s future roles will depend on that verdict.