Yash Wore Costumes Weighing Up to 33 Kg as Ravana in Ramayana

Actor Yash wore elaborate costumes weighing as much as 30–33 kg while portraying Ravana in director Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, costume stylist and designer Saniya Sardhariya has revealed.

Speaking to India Today, Sardhariya said most of Yash’s costumes, including jewellery, weighed around 16–20 kg, while some of the more elaborate looks were substantially heavier.

Ravana’s Crown Alone Weighed 1.8 Kg

One of the most challenging parts of Yash’s look was Ravana’s crown.

Sardhariya said the design team created several 3D mock-ups and repeatedly worked to reduce its weight without compromising the intended appearance.

Even after those efforts, the final crown weighed around 1.8 kg.

Some Costumes Reached 30–33 Kg

The heaviest outfits included Ravana’s Lanka look, his wedding costume and another elaborate ceremonial outfit.

Sardhariya said these costumes came close to 30–33 kg, making movement particularly difficult during long shooting schedules.

Jewellery Alone Weighed Around 6–7 Kg

The designer separately revealed that Ravana’s jewellery weighed around 6–7 kg.

When combined with the metal armour, embroidered costume and crown, the overall weight became considerable.

Heavy Costume Restricted Yash’s Movement

Sardhariya said the challenge was not limited to weight.

The crown restricted head movement, while the chest plate and shoulder structures made it harder for Yash to move his arms naturally.

The actor would remove some of the pieces between takes to reduce discomfort before putting them back on for the next shot.

Prosthetics Added Another Layer of Difficulty

Yash’s transformation into Ravana also involved extensive prosthetic work.

Sardhariya said some of the most demanding shoot days involved combining heavy prosthetics with the costume, including scenes involving Ravana’s disguised appearances.

This required the costume and prosthetic departments to work closely to ensure the complete look remained visually consistent.

Yash Involved in Designing Ravana’s Look

According to Sardhariya, Yash was closely involved in the design process rather than simply wearing the finished costumes.

During fittings and look tests, he would suggest adjustments based on how he intended to move or perform in individual scenes.

For example, he would ask for changes to drapes or arm pieces so they could become part of his physical performance.

First Ravana Look Test Impressed the Team

Sardhariya has worked with Yash for more than a decade, but Ramayana was their first mythological film together.

She said the team initially introduced costume elements gradually during trial sessions so Yash could adjust to their weight and movement restrictions.

The first complete Ravana look test reportedly impressed the production team and required fewer revisions than typically expected for a large-scale mythological character.

Jewellery and Armour Designed as One Visual Language

Another important element of the Yash Ravana costume was the decision to blur the distinction between jewellery and armour.

Sardhariya said the team created metal armour separately before collaborating with jewellery artisans to add detailed motifs and embellishments.

The process was technically complex because the different teams had to coordinate measurements and decorative elements across the same pieces.

Shiva Motifs Featured in Ravana’s Look

The costume designer said Ravana’s devotion to Lord Shiva influenced several visual elements.

Serpent and trishul motifs were incorporated into his crown, jewellery and armour, while some research for the overall look drew from Sri Lankan architecture.

Yash Kept Crew Entertained Despite Discomfort

Despite wearing the heavy costume for long hours, Sardhariya said Yash remained cheerful on set.

She recalled that the actor joked about the sharp decorative elements on his crown, shoulder pads and armbands and used humour to keep the atmosphere light during demanding shooting days.

Ramayana Features Yash as Ravana

Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana features Yash as Ravana, alongside Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita.

The film is produced by Namit Malhotra and features music involving A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer.

The revelations about the Yash Ravana costume offer a glimpse into the extensive physical and technical work required to create the character for the large-scale mythological production.