Sai Pallavi's casting and Ramayana costumes spark online debate

The upcoming film adaptation of the Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, has sparked significant online debate regarding the casting and costume design of its lead characters.

Actor Sai Pallavi, who portrays Sita, has faced scrutiny from viewers questioning her appearance and whether her features align with traditional depictions of the mythological figure. This backlash follows a period where Pallavi was celebrated for her natural beauty and refusal to conform to conventional glamour standards.

In response to criticisms regarding the film's visual direction, costume designers Rimple and Harpreet Narula explained that the styling was developed in close collaboration with the director to support a global cinematic vision. The designers noted that the costumes utilize natural and vegetable dyes to maintain authenticity. They also clarified that specific color choices, such as the attire for Lara Dutta’s character Kaikeyi, were intended to reflect the character's emotional complexity and internal conflicts.