Ramayana Costume Designers React to Backlash Over Sai Pallavi and Lara Dutta Looks Say ‘Don’t Judge Before Watching the Film’
The makers of Ramayana, one of the most anticipated Indian films, have responded to the criticism surrounding the first looks of Sai Pallavi as Sita and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi. Soon after promotional visuals surfaced online, a section of social media users questioned the costumes and styling of the two actresses, leading to widespread debate.
Addressing the controversy, the film’s costume designers urged audiences not to form opinions based on a few stills or promotional images. They emphasized that every costume has been designed after extensive research into ancient Indian history, mythology, and traditional textiles. According to the designers, the complete visual impact can only be understood after watching the film in its entirety.
The team explained that the costumes are closely tied to each character’s journey, personality, and the overall storytelling. They noted that isolated images often fail to capture the finer details, including fabric textures, jewelry, colors, and the cinematic lighting that enhances the final look on screen.
Responding to comparisons with earlier adaptations of the Ramayana, the designers said the new film presents its own artistic interpretation while remaining respectful to the epic. They stressed that the goal was not to recreate previous versions but to offer a fresh yet culturally authentic vision for modern audiences.
Sai Pallavi, who portrays Goddess Sita, has been praised by many fans for her graceful screen presence, while others expressed mixed reactions to her costume design. Similarly, Lara Dutta’s transformation into Queen Kaikeyi sparked discussions online, with some appreciating the royal appearance and others expecting a different interpretation.
The costume department revealed that months of planning, research, and collaboration went into creating the wardrobes for every major character. Traditional craftsmanship, handcrafted ornaments, and custom-made fabrics were reportedly used to ensure authenticity while meeting the scale of a grand cinematic production.
The filmmakers have maintained that Ramayana is being developed as a visually spectacular retelling of the ancient epic. They believe audiences will better understand the creative choices once they experience the complete narrative rather than judging individual promotional images.
As anticipation continues to build, the team remains confident that the performances, storytelling, visual effects, and costume design will come together to deliver an immersive cinematic experience worthy of one of India’s greatest epics.
