Did You Know Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston Voiced Lord Ram in The Legend of Ramayana?

Bryan Cranston, best known for his iconic role as Walter White in Breaking Bad, has taken on many unexpected roles in his career, but perhaps none more surprising than voicing Lord Ram in the English version of the animated film The Prince of Light: The Legend of Ramayana.

While Cranston’s portrayal of the morally ambiguous Walter White captured audiences worldwide, few know that he also lent his voice to the revered Hindu god in a lesser-known adaptation of the ancient Indian epic.

The Story Behind the Role

This version of Ramayana, originally titled Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama, was released in 1993 as an animated film directed by Yugo Sako, Ram Mohan, and Koichi Sasaki. The film blended three distinct animation styles: Japanese Manga, Disney’s Western animation, and Ravi Varma’s classical Indian art. It was released in three languages: Hindi, English, and Japanese.

In the Hindi version, renowned Indian actor Arun Govil voiced Lord Ram, while Amrish Puri voiced the menacing Ravana. However, for the English-language release aimed at American audiences, Bryan Cranston voiced Lord Ram, while Tom Wyner took on the role of Ravana. Interestingly, Star Wars and The Lion King legend James Earl Jones lent his voice as the narrator, adding gravitas to the epic story.

A Unique Adaptation for Western Audiences

The English-dubbed version of the animated Ramayana was edited to simplify the story, making it more accessible to Western audiences unfamiliar with the Indian epic. Cranston’s portrayal of Lord Ram in this version was a departure from his usual roles, demonstrating his incredible versatility as a voice actor.

Though the film remains a cult favorite among fans of Indian mythology and animation, Cranston’s involvement is a hidden gem in his impressive career.