‘Ramayana’ designers address backlash over Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi and Sai Pallavi’s Sita costumes: ‘Chose faith over authenticity’ |

‘Ramayana’ designers address backlash over Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi and Sai Pallavi’s Sita costumes: ‘Chose faith over authenticity’

‘Ramayana’ has been making headlines ever since its trailer dropped, generating excitement among fans while also drawing criticism for the costumes of its characters. Sai Pallavi‘s Sita and Lara Dutta‘s Kaikeyi, in particular, faced backlash online, with several social media users comparing the looks to television soap costumes. Amid the criticism, costume designers Rimple and Harpreet Narula have now opened up about the thought process behind the film’s wardrobe choices.

Designers explain the vision behind Sita’s look in ‘Ramayana’

Speaking to NDTV, Harpreet said the costumes were designed keeping the film’s global reach in mind, with the aim of making the characters instantly recognisable as part of an Indian epic. He revealed multiple versions were tried before the final look was locked. He said, “It wasn’t designed in isolation; it was done cohesively with the director on board, and then we came to a conclusion about the look of Sita.”

Designers address criticism around Lara Dutta’s ‘Kaikeyi’ look

Addressing the criticism around Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi costume, especially the green blouse paired with a dark maroon saree, Rimple explained the symbolism behind the choice. She said, “What people don’t understand is that, the scene where she is banishing Lord Ram, there is a perplexity in the whole situation. There is a complexity as a mother.”She added that the green blouse represented Mother Earth, while the deep maroon saree reflected Kaikeyi’s emotional turmoil in that moment. Rimple also noted that the costumes were coloured using vegetable and natural dyes.

‘Ramayana’ costume designers say they chose faith over authenticity

Harpreet said the team consciously “chose faith over authenticity” while designing the costumes, drawing inspiration from how Indians have traditionally envisioned Lord Ram and Sita through calendar art, temple depictions and pre-modern artwork. He also pointed out that Ramayana iconography varies across regions, especially between North and South India, which is why the designers aimed for a more universal silhouette for Sita’s character.

More about ‘Ramayana: Part 1’ and Part 2

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari of ‘Dangal’ and ‘Chhichhore’ fame, ‘Ramayana: Part 1’ is set to release in theatres during Diwali 2026, with ‘Ramayana: Part 2’ scheduled to arrive during Diwali 2027.