Before ‘Shiva’ Ranbir Was Long-Haired ‘Rumi’ in ‘Brahmastra’: Ayan

Ranbir’s character in ‘Brahmastra’ was originally to be called ‘Rumi’.

Ranbir’s character in ‘Brahmastra’ was originally to be named ‘Rumi’. 

(Photo courtesy: Instagram/@ayan_mukerji)

Brahmastra director Ayan Mukerji revealed his lead, Ranbir Kapoor’s first look from his upcoming fantasy film and said that his character, ‘Shiva’ was originally set to be called ‘Rumi’.

While Ranbir’s character name was changed from ‘Rumi’ to ‘Shiva’, the film, which also stars Gully Boy actress Alia Bhatt in a leading role, went from being called ‘Dragon’ to ‘Brahmastra’.

Mukerji claimed that this picture was from Ranbir’s ‘look test’ for ‘Rumi’, where he is seen sporting long hair and a melancholic expression.

Explaining what inspired him to change the actor’s look from ‘Rumi’ to ‘Shiva’, Mukerji said:

“...Rumi said, ‘Love is the bridge between you and everything...’, and that feeling is the foundation we started building the protagonist of this movie on... But then, there was new inspiration, newer thoughts... Dragon became ‘Brahmāstra’, we gave Ranbir a haircut, and Rumi became... Shiva.” 

Brahmastra was earlier slated to release in August 2019 but the makers later announced that the first part of the trilogy will hit the screens around Christmas, this year.