Ranbir Kapoor has apologised after a slip of the tongue at a Dussehra event sparked a social media storm. Speaking in Kolkata on October 20, the actor mistakenly said “ant” (end) instead of “jeet” (victory) while invoking Lord Ram — a gaffe that drew instant criticism given he plays Lord Ram in the upcoming Ramayana, according to The Hollywood Reporter India.
Clips of the moment went viral within hours, with trolls questioning whether the actor was fit to portray the revered deity. The backlash was swift and, at times, vicious.
The gaffe was particularly sensitive because of the role. Playing Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s magnum opus is arguably the most scrutinized casting in recent Bollywood history, and every public utterance by Kapoor is now weighed against the gravitas of the character.
“A Slip of the Tongue”
Addressing the controversy at the Ramayana Chennai launch on October 21, Kapoor owned the mistake fully. “I had a slip of tongue,” he said, apologising sincerely and stressing his deep respect for the epic and its traditions. Movie Talkies reports the actor appeared genuinely contrite.
He explained that public speaking slip-ups happen, especially at emotionally charged cultural events, and asked for understanding rather than outrage. Co-stars at the launch rallied around him, describing his dedication to the role.
Kapoor has reportedly immersed himself in preparation for playing Lord Ram, studying the epic’s texts and undergoing physical training for the demanding part.
Language slip-ups at live events are common — even seasoned politicians misspeak — but the religious context amplified this one. Kapoor’s swift, unequivocal apology appears to have defused the worst of the anger.
Ramayana Countdown Begins
The Nitesh Tiwari-directed epic, in which Kapoor stars opposite Sai Pallavi, releases November 5 and is among the most anticipated Indian films of the year. The team will be hoping the apology draws a line under the episode so attention can return to the film.
Fans largely accepted the apology, noting everyone misspeaks sometimes. More: Ramayana gets 3h15m runtime, U certificate ahead of release.
The November 5 release date is now less than a month away, and the promotional machine is in full swing. If the Chennai launch is any indication, Kapoor intends to let the film do the talking from here on.
