Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Ramayana costume designers defend Sita and Kaikeyi looks amid backlash
A big new movie called Ramayana tells a very old, famous Indian story.
When the trailer came out, some people complained about the clothes two actresses wore.
They thought the outfits looked too modern and not like ancient times.
The costume designers, Rimple and Harpreet Narula, explained their choices.
They said nobody really knows how people dressed back then, so they were not trying to copy old clothes exactly.
Rimple said she wanted Sita to look like the goddess she pictures in her temple.
Harpreet said Kaikeyi's green dress stands for motherhood and her dark red dress stands for the sad, hard choice she has to make.
Some people also think Ranbir Kapoor is not the right actor to play Lord Ram.
The designers say the movie tries to tell this old story in a fresh way for a new generation.
The first part of the movie comes out during Diwali in 2026.
Rimple and Harpreet Narula, costume designers for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, addressed online backlash over Sai Pallavi's Sita and Lara Dutta's Kaikeyi looks.
The designers said the costumes were never meant to be archaeological recreations, noting no surviving costume references exist from the Treta Yuga era.
Rimple said her vision of Sita was guided by devotion, likening it to the image of the Goddess in her mandir (temple), not historical authenticity.
Harpreet explained Kaikeyi's green costume represents motherhood and the deep maroon reflects the emotional strength and darkness of her decision.
Ramanand Sagar's grandson Shiv Sagar questioned Ranbir Kapoor's casting as Lord Ram, citing his 'baggage' after Animal, while praising Sai Pallavi and Yash.
- Who
- Costume designers Rimple and Harpreet Narula, who responded to criticism over the looks of Sai Pallavi (Sita), Lara Dutta (Kaikeyi) and the casting of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram; filmmaker Ramanand Sagar's grandson Shiv Sagar also weighed in.
- What
- The designers defended the costumes as intentional creative interpretation backed by research rather than historical recreation, urging audiences to judge after seeing the full film.
- When
- The trailer was released last week; Ramayana: Part One is slated for Diwali 2026 and Part Two for Diwali 2027.
- Where
- Online, following the trailer's release; the designers spoke to the Times of India.
- Why
- Viewers argued the looks felt too contemporary for the mythological Treta Yuga era; the designers said the choices were guided by devotion, symbolism and creative intent.
Critics' View
Filmmakers' View
Costume authenticity
Critics' View
Critics argue Sai Pallavi's Sita and Lara Dutta's Kaikeyi look too contemporary and modern for the mythological Treta Yuga era.
Filmmakers' View
Designers say the costumes were never meant to be archaeological recreations; no surviving references from the era exist, and the looks were shaped by devotion, years of research and symbolism.
Lead casting
Critics' View
Some, including Shiv Sagar, question Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, saying he carries 'baggage' from films like Animal and that Ram is usually played by a fresh face.
Filmmakers' View
The filmmakers cast Kapoor in the role, he has addressed the backlash, and the trailer's scale and ambition have also drawn praise.
- Film
- Ramayana (two-part cinematic adaptation)
- Director
- Nitesh Tiwari
- Lead cast
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Yash as Ravana
- Costume designers
- Rimple and Harpreet Narula
- Music
- Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman
- Producers
- Namit Malhotra (producer); Yash (co-producer)
- Release dates
- Part One: Diwali 2026; Part Two: Diwali 2027
