Assam artisans handcrafted armour for Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana over 3.5 years
A team of 15 artisans from Barpeta district created 30 to 35 pieces of cane-and-rubber armour for the film.
A team of 15 artisans from Jania Banglipara village in Assam's Barpeta district spent three-and-a-half years handcrafting specialised armour for Nitesh Tiwari's film Ramayana, according to reports by Mint, Moneycontrol and Firstpost. Led by master artisan Jaynal Abdin, the group produced between 30 and 35 pieces of cane-and-rubber armour used by actors Ranbir Kapoor and Ravi Dubey in battle sequences.
The project reached Abdin through Abdul Malek of the local organisation Gram Unnayan rather than the film's production house. Abdin told ANI that the team initially received drawings and designs and was told the work was for a film shoot, though they did not know the specific title until after the release.
The armour's development required technical adjustments after initial prototypes proved too rigid. Abdin noted that when the lead actor wore the pure cane version, he found it hard and tight, making movement difficult. To solve this, Abdin suggested a hybrid design to costume designer Ajay, combining cane with black and green rubber provided by the production team.
The work was conducted intermittently based on the film's shooting schedule. Abdin said there were often gaps of three to six months without news, followed by urgent requests for eight to ten pieces on short notice. Finished jackets were sent from Barpeta to Guwahati Airport for transport to Mumbai.
Abdin said he has not yet watched the film but intends to do so because his handiwork is featured in it.