Mumbai: Costume designers Rimple and Harpreet Narula have responded to the online criticism surrounding the looks of Sai Pallavi as Sita and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, urging audiences not to judge the film based on the trailer alone. The designers said every costume has been created after extensive research and serves the film’s larger visual narrative.
Following the release of the trailer, social media users questioned several costume choices, particularly Sita wearing a blouse and Kaikeyi’s styling, with some comparing it to television serials. The debate quickly gained traction online, prompting the designers to explain the creative vision behind the costumes.
‘Don’t decide before you see the film’
Speaking about the criticism, Rimple and Harpreet Narula said audiences should wait until they watch the complete film before forming opinions.
They stressed that the trailer offers only brief glimpses of the characters and that every costume has been designed to complement the story, character arcs and cinematic treatment of the epic.
Every costume has a purpose
Defending their work, the designers said their aim was to create a visual language that honours the ancient epic while also connecting with contemporary audiences.
According to them, the costumes are not random styling choices but the result of detailed research into mythology, textiles, colours and character psychology.
“This is our attempt to make an ancient epic speak visually to a new generation. There’s thought behind every thread,” the designers said while responding to the backlash.
Sai Pallavi’s Sita and Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi criticised online
Much of the criticism centred on Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita, with some users objecting to her blouse and saree styling, arguing that it appeared too modern for the Treta Yuga setting.
Similarly, Lara Dutta’s appearance as Kaikeyi drew memes and comparisons to television mythological serials, with several social media users questioning the overall costume design.
Trailer sparks wider debate
While the trailer received praise for its visual effects, performances and scale, the costumes became one of the most discussed aspects online.
The debate has also extended to broader conversations about how mythological characters should be represented in modern cinema and whether filmmakers should prioritise historical authenticity or creative interpretation.
Film already under public scrutiny
The costume controversy comes amid heightened attention surrounding Ramayana, one of India’s most anticipated films.
Apart from discussions about the costumes, the project has also faced calls from some organisations for a pre-release screening to ensure that religious sentiments are not hurt.
Despite the criticism, veteran actor Dipika Chikhlia, who famously portrayed Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s television Ramayan, recently expressed confidence that audiences would accept Sai Pallavi’s performance once the film is released.
Conclusion
As debate over the trailer continues, costume designers Rimple and Harpreet Narula have defended their creative choices, saying every costume in Ramayana has been carefully crafted with purpose and context. They have appealed to audiences to reserve judgment until they experience the complete film, maintaining that the visual storytelling will make their design decisions clearer.