Puneet Issar Reveals Lord Ram’s Warrior Side In His Play ‘Jai Shri Ram Ramayan’

In a thought-provoking revelation about one of Hinduism’s most revered figures, veteran actor Puneet Issar has challenged the common perception of Lord Ram in his theatrical production ‘Jai Shri Ram Ramayan’. The actor, best known for portraying Duryodhan in BR Chopra’s iconic television series Mahabharat, believes many people have misunderstood the true nature of Lord Ram.

The Warrior Beyond The Peaceful Facade

“Shri Ram Ji Ko Aapne Galat Samjha!” (You’ve misunderstood Lord Shri Ram) declares Puneet Issar in his recent Instagram post promoting his theatrical production. According to Issar, while most people perceive Lord Ram as a ‘Saumya’ (gentle) and ‘Sooksham’ (subtle) figure, there’s another powerful dimension to his personality that often goes unacknowledged.

In the Instagram video, Issar elaborates that Lord Ram was also a formidable Kshatriya warrior who defeated over 14,000 Asuras (demons). His play ‘Jai Shri Ram Ramayan’ aims to showcase this lesser-highlighted aspect of Ram’s character, portraying not just his peaceful and compassionate side but also his valor and strength as a warrior.

“Many perceive Ram as a Saumya and Sooksham figure, but Puneet explains that Ram was also a Kshatriya warrior who defeated over 14,000 Asuras,” reads the caption of his post. The theatrical production promises to reveal the “true essence of Ram” by highlighting his warrior spirit alongside his more commonly celebrated peaceful attributes.

Puneet Issar: A Versatile Veteran

Puneet Issar has had a multifaceted career spanning decades in Indian cinema and television. While most remember him as Duryodhan from Mahabharat, his portfolio includes significant roles in films like ‘Coolie,’ ‘Border,’ and ‘Partner.’ According to his Wikipedia page, Issar was born on November 23, 1959, and began his career with the film ‘Coolie’ (1983), where he was unfortunately involved in an accident with Amitabh Bachchan during an action sequence.

In a recent podcast clip shared on his Instagram, Issar revealed how this accident affected his career trajectory. “From being one of the most promising actors to losing 8 big films — this incident affected his entire career,” the caption stated. Despite this setback, Issar rebuilt his career and went on to become a recognizable face in Indian entertainment.

Theatrical Ventures And Spiritual Explorations

Beyond his screen work, Issar has been actively involved in theater. His play ‘Jai Shri Ram Ramayan’ isn’t his first theatrical production with spiritual themes. In another recent Instagram post, he shared a powerful poetry performance on Lord Shiva from his theatrical work ‘Ishwar,’ demonstrating his deep connection with spiritual narratives.

“This intense and soul-stirring Mahadev poetry captures the divine essence of Lord Shiva like never before,” read the caption of that post, highlighting Issar’s ability to convey profound spiritual concepts through his performances.

Preserving Cultural Heritage Through Modern Storytelling

In one of his Instagram posts, Issar discussed why the original Mahabharat television series continues to resonate with audiences decades after its release. He attributed its lasting impact to authentic production values, including “shooting with 2000+ artists on real locations” instead of relying on modern special effects.

This approach to storytelling—prioritizing authenticity and cultural depth—seems to carry through to his current work with ‘Jai Shri Ram Ramayan.’ By highlighting the warrior aspect of Lord Ram, Issar appears to be continuing his mission of presenting nuanced and authentic portrayals of mythological characters to contemporary audiences.

Expanding Horizons: Beyond Acting

Issar has also ventured into directing, with his debut directorial being ‘Garv’ starring Salman Khan. In a recent Instagram post, he shared the story of how he convinced Khan to take on the role: “From offering the script, Salman’s initial hesitation, to the moment he finally said, ‘I want to do this!’ – it’s a journey you haven’t heard before.”

Additionally, Issar has recently joined a YouTube channel called CG_Bhaskar, where he will be discussing various aspects of culture, society, and politics, particularly focused on Chhattisgarh. This move demonstrates his interest in using his platform and experience to engage with broader social and cultural conversations.

Continuing The Legacy Of Epic Storytelling

Through ‘Jai Shri Ram Ramayan,’ Puneet Issar continues the tradition of reinterpreting and presenting Indian epics to new generations. By highlighting Lord Ram’s warrior aspect alongside his peaceful nature, Issar offers a more complete picture of this revered figure—one that embraces both compassion and strength, gentleness and valor.

As Indian mythological storytelling continues to evolve across various media, voices like Issar’s remind audiences of the multidimensional nature of these ancient characters and the complex lessons they still offer today.

Trivia

Puneet Issar is trained in martial arts and often incorporates physicality into his roles.

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Cynthia Jean DanielAssociate videos director

 

Cynthia Jean Daniel has worked across fashion, content, and video production, combining design, storytelling, and media. She has directed over 1,500 influencer videos and worked on digital campaigns, brand promotions, and runway shows.

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