Actor Yash is eager for audiences to see him as Ravana in director Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1. His seven-year-old son, Yatharv, however, is less certain about watching his father play the antagonist rather than Rama, the story’s hero.The Kannada star recently revealed that his son’s familiarity with the Ramayana led to a difficult question: “Who do I root for?” Yash said he then had to explain the difference between the lessons of the epic and his role as an actor.During a conversation with television presenter Suma Kanakala, Yash said his children had grown up listening to the Ramayana from their grandparents.

That made Yatharv’s response to his casting more complicated.“For a son, his father is his hero. Since he knows the story [of the Ramayana], he asked me, ‘You are Ravana?!

How can you be Ravana? Aren’t you Rama?’ So, I said, ‘Yes, I am Rama in real life, but in the movie, I am playing Ravana.’ But he was like, ‘Then you are the bad guy.’ So, I explained to him about cinema and acting, showing him drawings and all of that.” The explanation prompted another question from Yatharv: “So, who do I root for?”Yash continued, “That was a complicated question.

My fans might also have the same doubt, wondering, ‘Why is Yash doing this role?’ Especially since, in scenes like Sita Apaharan, I should not be liked. Then I told my kid in the most distinct way, ‘When we listen to the story, it is Rama whom everybody has to follow.

Ravana might look glamorous, fancy, or powerful. But ultimately, if you have to win, you have to understand the essence of Lord Rama.

However, in the movie, you can root for me. But don’t take it personally.'” Yatharv then asked, “But do you die?

Do you lose?” Yash tried to reassure him by saying, “Listen, I am just playing that role. It’s a different thing.”Yash said the exchange was difficult because he had not considered his son’s possible reaction while working on the film.

Although he had thought about how fans might respond to the role, he had not expected to explain the character to Yatharv.“I didn’t think of it when I was doing the movie. I was thinking of my fans for sure.

But I didn’t think of my son or the possibility that he would ask me this question one day. It was interesting.

But how do I explain to him that this is just a character that I am playing? So, I thought he would understand it later,” he added.

About Ramayana: Part 1Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 also stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravie Dubey as Lakshmana and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. The epic mythological action film is bankrolled by Namit Malhotra, with music composed by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman.The film is the first instalment in a planned two-part franchise and will be released in cinemas on November 5.

The two-part project is being mounted on a reported budget of Rs 4,000 crore.- Ends