Veteran actor Dipika Chikhlia, who became synonymous with the role of Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television series Ramayan, has shared her thoughts on Sai Pallavi stepping into the revered character in Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious big-screen adaptation of Ramayana. While praising Sai Pallavi as a gifted performer, Dipika admitted she has reservations about the actor’s look in the film, particularly after seeing glimpses of her appearance.
Speaking in a recent interview ahead of the release of Ramayana’s trailer, Dipika said Sai Pallavi is “a phenomenal actor” and expressed confidence in her acting abilities. However, she added that portraying a character as deeply rooted in Indian culture as Sita also requires a visual authenticity that audiences have come to associate with the epic.
Referring to Sai Pallavi’s hairstyle in the film, Dipika remarked that she had never come across descriptions of Sita with curly hair in Tulsidas’ Ramayan. “Sita ji with curly hair is not mentioned in the epic,” she said, clarifying that her observation was about the character’s visual representation rather than Sai Pallavi’s acting talent. She added that if the filmmakers believe the cast fits the characters, then audiences should wait to watch the final product before forming opinions.
Despite her reservations, Dipika stressed that she harbours no criticism of Sai Pallavi personally. She acknowledged the actor’s impressive body of work and said she hopes the new adaptation lives up to the immense expectations surrounding it. According to Dipika, playing Sita is not just another acting assignment but a responsibility because millions of devotees associate the character with purity, grace and compassion.
Dipika also reflected on how playing Sita transformed her own life and career. Even decades after Ramayan first aired in 1987, she continues to be recognised as “Sita Mata” by fans across the country. She said the role became such a defining part of her identity that audiences found it difficult to accept her in other characters. While grateful for the love she has received over the years, she admitted that the immense popularity of the role also resulted in her being typecast.
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana has emerged as one of Indian cinema’s most anticipated projects. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, with Sunny Deol portraying Hanuman and Ravi Dubey playing Lakshman. Veteran actor Arun Govil, who famously played Lord Ram opposite Dipika in the original television series, has been cast as King Dasharath in the new adaptation.
The film has generated significant excitement ever since its first look was unveiled, with discussions ranging from the cast’s performances to the scale of its visual effects. The makers have promised a technologically advanced retelling of the ancient epic while remaining faithful to its emotional core. The trailer was initially scheduled to be released on Friday but was postponed shortly before the launch.
Dipika had earlier expressed uncertainty over Arun Govil portraying Dasharath after spending decades being identified as Lord Ram. However, after watching promotional material from the film earlier this year, she acknowledged that the makers appeared to have approached the adaptation with sincerity and scale.
Her latest comments have sparked lively discussions online, with fans divided over whether Sita’s appearance should closely follow traditional depictions or whether filmmakers should be free to offer their own interpretation. While some agreed with Dipika’s emphasis on authenticity, others defended Sai Pallavi, arguing that her acting ability would ultimately define the role more than her physical appearance.
As anticipation builds for Ramayana, Dipika’s remarks have added another layer to the conversation surrounding one of the most-awaited films in recent years. Although she raised questions about Sai Pallavi’s look, the veteran actor ultimately wished the team well, expressing hope that the adaptation honours the legacy of one of India’s most cherished epics.