Entertainment · Indian Cinema · 3 hrs ago
Warrior portrayal of Sita in Ramayana film sparks debate
The debate centres on Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita as a warrior in Ramayana: Part 1, a film released in theatres on November 5.
In the film, Sita wields a sword during a forest encounter with demons.
Actor Mukesh Khanna criticised the scene, saying it does not appear in Valmiki’s Ramayana, but he has not watched the film and based his view on its promos and reviews.
Indira Krishnan, who plays Kaushalya, said she also found the portrayal unfamiliar, recalling that she had not seen Sita as a warrior in the older television version she watched as a child.
She said the filmmakers wanted to show Sita’s valour and present women in the story as strong.
The disagreement reflects different views on adapting a familiar epic, including how much filmmakers can change or draw on other versions.
Ramayana is planned as a two-part film, with the second instalment slated for 2028.
Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita wielding a sword in Nitesh Tiwari’s film Ramayana has sparked debate.
Actor Mukesh Khanna criticised the scene, saying Valmiki’s Ramayana does not depict Sita as a fighter.
Khanna said he had not watched the film and based his views on promotional material, audience reactions and reviews.
Actor Indira Krishnan said she initially found the portrayal difficult to connect with but explained that the filmmakers wanted to show Sita’s valour.
Krishnan said the film presents its women characters as strong and gives them greater agency.
- Who
- Sai Pallavi plays Sita; Mukesh Khanna criticised her portrayal, while Indira Krishnan defended the filmmakers’ approach.
- What
- Sita is shown wielding a sword and fighting in a scene in Ramayana, prompting debate.
- When
- The debate was reported on November 10, 2026. The film’s first instalment was released on November 5, 2026.
- Where
- The film is set in the story of the Ramayana; the scene takes place during a forest encounter.
- Why
- Some viewers and Khanna objected that Sita is shown fighting, while the makers’ rationale, as described by Krishnan, was to show that she is strong and valiant.
Critics of the warrior portrayal
Defenders of the portrayal
Source text
Critics of the warrior portrayal
Khanna said Valmiki’s Ramayana does not depict Sita as a fighter.
Defenders of the portrayal
Krishnan said the makers wanted to show Sita’s valour and that she was not weak.
Creative interpretation
Critics of the warrior portrayal
Khanna questioned whether filmmakers should add their own ideas to the epic.
Defenders of the portrayal
Krishnan said the film highlights women’s strength and agency.
Sai Pallavi spoke about playing Sita at the film’s Pratham Sankalp event in New Delhi.
Ramayana Part 1 was released in theatres worldwide.
Articles reported Khanna’s criticism of Sita’s warrior portrayal and Krishnan’s explanation of the filmmakers’ approach.
- Film
- Ramayana Part 1
- Director
- Nitesh Tiwari
- Producer
- Namit Malhotra
- Sita
- Sai Pallavi
- Release date
- November 5, 2026
- Scene
- Sita wields a sword in a forest encounter with the demon army led by Khara and Dushana
5 sources
Mukesh Khanna slams Ramayana makers
Mukesh Khanna objects to Sita’s portrayal in Ramayana: ‘Maa Sita was never a fighter’
Ramayana actor Indira Krishnan defends Sai Pallavi’s Sita wielding a sword, admits she ‘didn’t connect’ bit with what she saw in Ramanand Sagar show
Ramayana: Indira Krishnan Defends Sai Pallavi's Warrior Sita, Says 'I Couldn't Connect But...' | Exclusive
What people are saying
People have objected to Sita fighting like the Rani of Jhansi. In the film, she is fighting 2-3 monsters; I cross-checked this in Valmiki’s Ramayana, and this is not there in it.
The makers wanted to portray that Sita isn’t weak. She belonged to a family of warriors who made sure that the girl child learned the art of wielding a sword. Through the sequence, they’ve depicted the valour of Sita, who was otherwise soft-minded.
I couldn’t connect this bit with what I had watched in the old television show.
We all grew up watching a different version of Sita Maa. So to have this for this generation felt really good.