The upcoming film Ramayana has created massive buzz since its trailer dropped. While many praised the grand visuals and scale, some viewers started criticizing the costume choices. A major point of debate was Sai Pallavi’s styling as Sita, with some calling it “too modern.” Now, her co-star Surabhi Das, who plays Sita’s cousin Shrutakirti, has spoken up in defense of the film’s creative decisions.
Surabhi Das said people will always find something to complain about. She urged everyone to wait and watch the full movie before judging. She believes the film’s massive scale will make these small details fade away.
Surabhi Das: “You Can’t Please Everybody”
In an exclusive interview with Zoom, Surabhi Das addressed the criticism directly. She pointed out the irony in the complaints. She said if the team had not shown Sita wearing a blouse, people would have questioned that too. Now that she is shown wearing one, people still have a problem.
“I feel people will always have something to say. Agar hum Sita ko blouse nahi pehnate, tab bhi logon ka opinion hota ki unko blouse kaise nahi pehnaya. Jab blouse pehnaya tab bhi problem hai. People will always point out things. The Ramayana is a huge project, and you can’t expect everyone to agree with or like it.”
She also mentioned that many films about the Ramayana have been made before. Every one of them faced disagreements and opinions. She said that is just how things work when you make a film about such a beloved epic.
“The film has been mounted on such a huge scale that people won’t even notice all these things. There have been so many films on the Ramayana before this as well; I am sure people had things to say. They must have had disagreements, and that is bound to happen. You can’t please everybody.”
Surabhi plays Shrutakirti, who is Sita’s youngest cousin and the wife of Shatrughan. Her character is part of the large ensemble cast in this ambitious project.
Costume Designers Also Defend the Creative Choices
Before Surabhi spoke, the film’s costume designers, Rimple and Harpreet Narula, also responded to the backlash. They are known for their work on films like Padmaavat and the series Heeramandi. They explained that they expected different opinions because the Ramayana is so close to people’s hearts.
Rimple Narula gave a clear reason for Sai Pallavi’s Sita look. She said she was not trying to recreate history. Instead, she wanted to show the goddess as she appears in her own mind and prayers.
“When I close my eyes and think of Goddess Sita, I don’t think about archaeological authenticity. I wanted my Goddess, the one sitting in my mandir, to look like the image that has lived in my consciousness. That was a deliberate choice.”
She also pointed out a simple fact. There are no surviving clothes from the Treta Yuga to copy exactly. So every filmmaker and artist has to use their own interpretation.
“Research is the foundation of costume design, but interpretation is what makes it art. There aren’t preserved garments from that period that we can simply recreate. We’ve all grown up seeing calendar art, miniature paintings, temple imagery and Raja Ravi Varma’s interpretations.”
Designers Explain Symbolism Behind Kaikeyi’s Look
Lara Dutta’s look as Kaikeyi also faced criticism. Some social media users compared her styling to characters from TV serials. Harpreet Narula responded by explaining the meaning behind every color choice.
He said the green in Kaikeyi’s costume represents motherhood. The deep maroon shows the emotional struggle and tough decision she has to make.
“The green in her costume represents motherhood, while the deep maroon reflects the emotional strength and darkness of the decision she has to make. She is torn between her own son and Ram. Every colour was chosen with intention. Sometimes people react too quickly before understanding the thought behind it.”
The designers stressed that they put thought into every thread. They want to make this ancient story feel new and exciting for today’s audience.
“This is our attempt to make an ancient epic speak visually to a new generation. There’s thought behind every thread. We want to appeal to viewers – don’t decide before you see it. Watch it, experience it and then form your opinion.”
Also Read:
About the Film and Its Massive Scale
The Ramayana is directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The film has a huge star cast. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama. Sai Pallavi plays Sita. Yash plays Ravana. Sunny Deol plays Lord Hanuman. The cast also includes Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha, and Arun Govil as King Dasharatha.
The film is being made on a very large budget. Reports say it cost around ₹4,000 crore to make. It will release in two parts. The first part is scheduled to hit theaters on Diwali 2026. The second part is expected in 2027.
The trailer was released on July 30 and created a lot of discussion. Many praised the visual effects and scale. But the costume debate became a major talking point online.
The film is produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash. It is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. The makers are hoping to bring the epic story to a new generation with modern filmmaking techniques.
Sai Pallavi has not personally responded to the criticism about her look. But her co-star and the film’s designers have made it clear that every decision was made with care and intention. They are asking the audience to keep an open mind and experience the film in theaters.
Also Read: Manoj Muntashir Calls Adipurush a Failed Attempt, Urges Fans Not to Compare It With Ramayana
For more entertainment news and updates, keep reading VvipTimes for the latest stories from the world of cinema.
Leave a Reply