Grammy CEO ‘Saddened’ After BTS Boycott New Asian Pop Category

The much-awaited trailer of Ramayana has set social media abuzz, with audiences reacting strongly to the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as the formidable Ravana. The ambitious mythological epic, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, has generated considerable curiosity because of its scale, star cast and high-end visual effects.

The trailer introduces Kapoor in the role of Lord Ram, portraying the central character with a restrained and dignified presence. Yash, meanwhile, appears as Ravana, offering a powerful interpretation of the legendary antagonist. Their eventual confrontation has emerged as one of the most discussed moments from the trailer, with viewers describing the clash between the two stars as the point where the film’s epic narrative truly begins. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions soon after the trailer was released. Fans praised the film’s visual presentation and the effort put into bringing the ancient story to a large cinematic canvas.

The trailer provides glimpses of several important characters and events from the Ramayana, while keeping some major elements of the story under wraps. One notable talking point among viewers was the absence of a prominent appearance by Sunny Deol, who plays Hanuman, with fans waiting to see more of his portrayal in future promotional material. Ramayana has been positioned as a large-scale cinematic adaptation of one of India’s most revered epics.

For Kapoor, the role marks a major departure from the contemporary characters that have defined much of his career. His portrayal of Lord Ram is consequently being closely watched by audiences. Yash’s Ravana, meanwhile, has generated equal interest, particularly because of the actor’s popularity following his success in major pan-Indian films. The Recording Academy’s decision to introduce a new Asian Pop category at the Grammy Awards has sparked controversy after South Korean group BTS chose to boycott the category, prompting a disappointed response from Grammy chief executive Harvey Mason Jr.

The new category was created to recognise music from across Asia and is expected to broaden the Grammys’ recognition of the region’s growing influence on global popular culture. However, the move has faced criticism from BTS and some of its supporters, who argue that the new award could have the effect of separating Asian artists from the main competitive categories rather than giving them greater representation.

Mason expressed disappointment over BTS’s decision, while defending the Academy’s intentions behind the new category. He said the initiative was designed to recognise artists and music that have made a significant impact internationally and to provide greater visibility to a rapidly expanding part of the global music industry. BTS, one of the world’s most commercially successful music groups, has played a major role in bringing Korean pop music to audiences across the world. The group’s decision has therefore drawn considerable attention to the debate over how Asian music should be represented at major Western award ceremonies.

The controversy comes as Asian pop continues to expand its international reach. Korean artists, Japanese performers and musicians from other Asian markets have increasingly built large global fan bases, while streaming platforms and social media have helped music cross geographical and language barriers.

Supporters of the new Grammy category see it as an opportunity to recognise this changing musical landscape. Critics, however, fear that placing Asian music in a separate category could reinforce divisions within the industry and limit the chances of Asian artists competing directly for some of the Grammys’ most prominent honours. The Recording Academy has maintained that the category is intended to celebrate diversity rather than create barriers. Mason’s reaction suggests that the Academy had hoped the initiative would be welcomed as a step towards broader representation.The trailer’s response indicates that Ramayana has already become one of the most anticipated Indian films. With Ranbir Kapoor and Yash positioned on opposite sides of the epic conflict, expectations are now high for the film’s eventual theatrical release.