2 November 2026 (Navroze Bureau) Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has sparked conversation with an amusing comparison between the mythical Pushpak Viman from the Ramayana and Elon Musk’s futuristic car technology. During a promotional interview for his upcoming film Ramayana, the actor said that India had achieved something similar thousands of years ago.
“Elon Musk recently invented a flying car. I think India did it 5,000 years ago!” Ranbir remarked during the conversation, referring to the Pushpak Viman described in the Hindu epic.
The interaction took place during a special promotional interview with Star Talks, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Ravie Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh and director Nitesh Tiwari. The discussion focused on the film’s fantastical elements, including its weapons, mythical vehicles and the challenges involved in bringing them to life on the big screen.
Ranbir’s comparison with Elon Musk
The conversation turned towards the extraordinary creations described in the Ramayana after the host discussed how some of the weapons and other elements associated with the epic appeared remarkably advanced. She also praised the visual effects created by DNEG, the studio working on the film.
Director Nitesh Tiwari spoke about the experience of reimagining these elements for the cinematic adaptation. Ranbir then brought up Elon Musk and Tesla’s much-discussed Roadster, making the comparison with the Pushpak Viman.
The actor’s comment was made in a light-hearted promotional conversation. It drew attention because it connected a well-known element of Indian mythology with a modern technology-related announcement.
What is Pushpak Viman in the Ramayana?
The Pushpak Viman, also known as Pushpaka Vimana, is described in the Ramayana as a mythical flying chariot or airborne palace. According to the epic’s account, it was created by Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, for Lord Brahma. It was later given to Kubera, the god of wealth.
Ravana, who was Kubera’s half-brother, eventually took possession of the vehicle after defeating him. The Pushpak Viman is described as a self-moving vehicle with extraordinary abilities. In the epic, it can travel at the speed of thought and change its size to accommodate passengers.
The mythical vehicle is also among the striking elements being recreated for Nitesh Tiwari’s film. Its large-scale design and visual appearance have attracted attention in the film’s promotional material.
Nitesh Tiwari reveals how long the Viman design took
During the same interview, Nitesh Tiwari revealed that the team spent nearly two years finalising the design of the Pushpak Viman.
The director explained that the design changed several times during development. These changes also affected the choreography of the sequence involving Ravana and Jatayu. According to Tiwari, the team had initially imagined a different appearance for the vehicle and planned the fight sequence around that design. Once the final look was changed, the makers had to make several adjustments to fit the Viman into the existing choreography.
His comments offered a glimpse into the amount of planning involved in translating the epic’s imaginative descriptions into a cinematic world.
What is the connection with Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster?
Ranbir’s remark also referred to renewed attention around Tesla’s next-generation Roadster. The electric sports car has been discussed for years, and its latest demonstration in Texas brought it back into the spotlight.
During the demonstration, the vehicle performed an unusual aerial manoeuvre involving a curved ramp, briefly becoming airborne before landing. However, the demonstration should not be confused with the launch of a commercially available flying car. Tesla’s Roadster remains an electric sports car, and Elon Musk has indicated that production is expected to begin in 2028.
All about Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Hindu epic. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, while Sai Pallavi portrays Sita and Yash appears as Ravana. The cast also includes Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.
The project is produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash, with music composed by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. The first instalment is scheduled to release in theatres on November 5, 2026, around Diwali.
As the film’s release approaches, the cast and director have been discussing the scale of the production and the creative decisions involved in adapting the epic for contemporary audiences. Ranbir’s comparison between the Pushpak Viman and modern technology has now added another talking point to the film’s promotional campaign.