Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana film sparks ritual debate

The upcoming Hindi-language film ‘Ramayana: Part 1’, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, has prompted online debate following the release of the song ‘Mangal Rang’.

A specific ceremonial sequence in the song, which depicts women applying a yellow paste to Rama while Sita stands beside him, has led viewers to different interpretations. Some social media users questioned the scene as a haldi ceremony, noting that traditional wedding customs often involve the bride and groom undergoing such rituals separately.

Other viewers have suggested the sequence may instead depict preparations for Rama’s coronation, known as rajyabhishek, or a traditional blessing ceremony called bechumawan, common in Mithila and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The filmmakers have not provided official clarification regarding the specific context of the scene.