Suhail Nayyar, who plays Sugriv in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana: Rise of a Legend’, has shared details of the technology used to make the film. In a recent chat, the actor said more than 83 cameras are used to record every small movement of his face and body. He also spoke about how he got the role, his childhood memories of Ramleela and his journey in the industry so far.
Suhail Nayyar talks about sensors and 83 cameras on ‘Ramayana’ set
‘Ramayana’ is already drawing attention for its scale, but Suhail Nayyar said it was the technology behind the characters that stood out for him. Sugriv is shown as a vanara, and this technology plays a key part in the film’s visual style.Explaining how it works, he said, “I have sensors on my body. There are more than 83 cameras capturing every little movement on my face, in my body. So it’s like being in a video game.”Such a setup can feel intimidating, but Suhail called it an actor’s dream. He also spoke about the physical preparation for the part. According to him, the team has attended movement classes, and the role is very different from anything he has played before. He did not share more, saying that revealing too much about the preparation would take away the fun for viewers.
How did Suhail Nayyar get the role of Sugriv
Suhail Nayyar did not expect to be part of the film and described the chance as a “gift from God”. He said he got a call from Mukesh Chhabra’s casting company, MCCC, after his work in ‘Saare Jahan Se Achha’. He was asked if he would like to play Sugriv.He recalled his reaction as instant: “What do you mean, am I interested? Of course, yes.”His casting was linked to the spy series itself. When he met Nitesh Tiwari, he brought up his work in the show. The director told him that this performance was exactly why the team thought of him for Sugriv.Suhail said Nitesh Tiwari had loved his work in the series and wanted someone who could bring similar dramatic elements to the character. For the actor, this made the opportunity even more special, and he said he was simply thankful that everything fell into place.
A childhood link with ‘Ramayana’
The role also has a personal side for Suhail, who grew up in Delhi watching Ramleela celebrations. He said the Dussehra festivities and performances were a big part of his childhood.He revealed that he often played smaller characters such as Nal and Neel in these Ramleela shows, while his elder brother took up roles like Hanuman and Sugriv. This made the thought of being part of ‘Ramayana’ even more meaningful for him.Suhail also praised the film’s writing, calling the script beautiful and well-researched. He said the team is handling the story with great care and that the project is unlike anything he has done before.
Suhail Nayyar’s journey from ‘Udta Punjab’ to ‘Ramayana’
Suhail Nayyar has spent more than ten years building his career in the entertainment industry. He first got wider recognition for ‘Udta Punjab’ and has since been seen in projects such as ‘Sharmaji Namkeen’ and ‘Saare Jahan Se Achha’.He has also worked with some of Hindi cinema’s best-known names, including Alia Bhatt and Rishi Kapoor. ‘Sharmaji Namkeen’ was Rishi Kapoor’s final film, and Suhail was part of it.Over the years, he has done a mix of roles, from drama and comedy to spy thrillers. With ‘Ramayana’, he now plays a character from one of India’s most familiar epics, but through a filmmaking process that is very different from regular acting.
Cast and release
‘Ramayana’ stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, with Ravi Dubey also in the cast. The story is being told in two parts, and Suhail’s portrayal can be seen in the first instalment.For Suhail Nayyar, the excitement lies in being part of a project that mixes a story everyone knows with a completely new cinematic experience. He said he remains grateful for the chance to play Sugriv.
