Following trailer backlash, Ramayana costume designers Rimple and Harpreet Narula address criticism surrounding Sai Pallavi and Lara Dutta’s onscreen outfits.
The much-anticipated trailer for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, finally hit the internet last week. While the sheer scale and grand visual tone of the two-part epic won applause from many fans, it also sparked intense online debates on the film’s wardrobe styling.
Many netizens pointed out that the attire for key characters, particularly Sita played by Sai Pallavi and Kaikeyi portrayed by Lara Dutta, leaned too close to modern television serials rather than an ancient mythological universe.
Now, the film’s costume designers Rimple and Harpreet Narula have broken their silence on the backlash in an interview with Times Of India.
Known for their intricate period work on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat, the designer duo revealed they were fully prepared for polarising reactions long before the trailer premiered. They explained that Ramayana occupies a deeply personal space in the Indian collective consciousness. Because every individual holds a unique vision of the epic, varied opinions regarding casting, visual effects, and attire were completely natural and expected.
Addressing specific criticism regarding Sai Pallavi’s look as Sita, Rimple Narula explained that her creative approach was rooted in devotion rather than historical strictness. She shared that when designing Goddess Sita’s attire, including the much-discussed blouse patterns, she focused on how she visualised the deity in her home temple rather than focusing strictly on archaeological authenticity.
She emphasized that no surviving clothing references exist from the Treta Yuga, making every modern retelling an artistic interpretation meant to connect with viewers on a personal level.
Harpreet Narula also detailed the deeper color symbolism behind Lara Dutta’s costume as Kaikeyi. He shared that the green tones represent her motherly instincts, while the deep maroon signifies the emotional turmoil and tough decisions surrounding her character.
The designers emphasized that every shade, texture, and thread was selected with intent to help this ancient epic visually connect with today’s younger generation.
‘This is our attempt to make an ancient epic speak visually to a new generation. There’s thought behind every thread,” Harpreet told the publication. The duo further urged viewers to watch the full film on the big screen before making a final judgment.
Despite the online debates, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana remains one of the most awaited Indian films of this year. The star-studded two-part magnum opus features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, and Yash as demon king Ravana. The powerhouse ensemble also includes Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, and veteran actor Arun Govil taking on the role of King Dashrath.
The first installment of this epic saga is scheduled to light up silver screens worldwide on Diwali 2026.
