When Adipurush was released in cinemas in 2023, it had the burden of high hopes. Promised as a retelling of the Ramayana in contemporary fashion, the movie featured Prabhas as Lord Rama, Kriti Sanon as Sita, and Saif Ali Khan as the evil Ravana — herein referred to as Lankesh. But soon, the epic mythological thriller became a cause of general ridicule, particularly its depiction of mythological characters and visual presentation. A year later, Saif Ali Khan has finally spoken about his experience — and his words are laced with deep regret.
A Role That Backfired
Saif Ali Khan, who is known for playing non-traditional and intense characters, enrolled for Adipurush with the expectation of playing a darker, more stylized Ravana. The move, however, fell on deaf ears with the fans. The first teaser that showcased Saif’s look as Lankesh garnered immediate criticism. People ripped his look apart, calling it too contemporary, more of a science fiction villain in the making than a mythological character.
Even though the directors intervened with some post-production cuts to temper the visuals and calm down the audience, the damage was done. Saif’s performance as Ravana was branded as disappointing and out of sync with the epic’s spiritual and cultural source. Although he kept quiet pretty much for months after the release of the film, his recent remarks are an honest and reflective perspective on the venture.
Saif Ali Khan Breaks His Silence
During a recent conversation, Saif confessed that he had watched Adipurush with his son just a while back. That moment proved to be a turning point. “I was watching Adipurush the other day with my son, and I realized it was a bad experience,” he confessed honestly. “He felt like he was being made to watch it, and I could feel that immediately. I apologized to him for being a part of it.”
These statements have now become viral, evoking conversations throughout social media networks. Both critics and fans are looking back on the character type that Saif acted, where the film was headed, and how a well-reputed actor such as himself was involved with such a massively disliked film.
His remorse seems to stem not only from professional discontent but from a very personal source — from watching how the film did not connect even with his own family.
The Trolls and Criticism
Right from when the first teaser came out, Saif Ali Khan’s Ravana was mercilessly trolled. Netizens made fun of everything from his hairdo to his armor, which resembled more of a futuristic villain than a mythical demon king. Social media was flooded with memes, and fans of the original Ramayana resented the perceived disrespectful and twisted take on their beloved epic.
Critics also cited that Saif’s intensity as an actor went to waste. The script didn’t give enough depth or sophistication to Ravana’s character, reducing one of the most multifaceted Indian mythology villains into a caricature. Most people felt director Om Raut’s vision went overboard with visual spectacle and CGI, while downplaying the emotional and moral heft of the epic.
Even with efforts to correct some of the visual problems after release, such as changing Saif’s appearance and adjusting the VFX, the harm was already done. People were not convinced, and the reputation of the film suffered.
Underutilized and Misguided
Saif Ali Khan is not new to playing grey or negative roles. From Omkara to Tanhaji, he has given strong performances that were both critically and commercially successful. In Tanhaji, his performance as Udaybhan Singh Rathore was chilling and energetic, and he received widespread acclaim.
But in Adipurush, he was lost — downgraded to a one-dimensional Ravana with minimal memorable moments and little chance to explore the psychological or philosophical dimensions of the villain. It was not merely the styling that was off but also the overall creative handling of the character.
Saif’s regret, thus, is not about public censure but about loss of chance. In a performance that had potential to be game-changing, writing and vision were not doing their job in the support he was giving.
A Lesson for the Industry?
Saif Ali Khan’s open confession is part of the increasing discussion regarding Adipurush and how Bollywood handles mythology. With the industry still scouring epics and ancient works for inspiration, cultural sensitivity, visual authenticity, and character depth become essential.
Actors of Saif’s stature expect not only a salary but substantial roles that challenge and encourage them. The Adipurush experience is a warning to filmmakers — star power and VFX-filled production can never take the place of a well-crafted script and considered direction.
Social Media Reacts
Social media has responded with much outrage to Saif’s remarks. Some have praised him for his bluntness, but there are others who are rewatching the film to point out its flaws yet again. Trending hashtags include #SaifAliKhan, #AdipurushRegret, and #RavanaDebate. The event has also revived debates regarding how Bollywood portrays religious and mythological themes, particularly in a nation where these tales are deeply culturally and emotionally rooted.
Read Also :- Lokesh Kanagaraj Confirms Kaithi 2 as His Next, Rolex with Suriya in the Pipeline
Final Thoughts
Saif Ali Khan’s own confession of regret over Adipurush is not only a news headline — it’s a telling of how even experienced actors get stuck with movies that fall short. His sincere admission, especially regarding apologizing to his son, provides a human touch to the tale many in the profession hardly do.
As the Adipurush dust settles, it leaves lessons — for actors, directors, and viewers. Vision without vision, ambition without substance, and spectacle without soul seldom result in success.
Saif’s journey with Adipurush might not have concluded on a high note, but his willingness to accept the misstep with humility says a lot about his evolution as an artist — and as a father.
Follow us on Instagram
