Producer Namit Malhotra has shared an emotional tribute to Ranbir Kapoor following the actor’s inclusion in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026. The honor comes at a pivotal moment in Kapoor’s career as he prepares to embody one of the most significant roles in Indian cinema – Lord Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming epic, Ramayana.
In a poignant post on X (formerly Twitter), Malhotra reflected on their shared history, noting that their fathers’ friendship dates back four decades. “From watching our fathers share meals and laughter to now… coming together to tell one of the greatest epics of all time… it’s been quite a journey,” he wrote. He praised Kapoor’s resilience through the highs and setbacks of his career, describing him as the “finest actor of our generation” and the only choice to portray Lord Rama.
The producer expressed deep pride in seeing Kapoor gain global recognition, stating that the TIME honor is “absolutely deserving” and “just the beginning.” Accompanying the note was a photo of Malhotra with Ranbir Kapoor and director Nitesh Tiwari, as well as a snippet of the TIME profile written by Ayushmann Khurrana. In the profile, Khurrana lauded Kapoor’s ability to influence the world through “quiet restraint” and “simple authenticity.”
As the Ramayana project gains international traction—evidenced by its recent presence at CinemaCon—Malhotra’s words underscore the deep personal and professional bond driving this ambitious cinematic venture.