Actor Lara Dutta has come out in support of Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana: Part 1’, urging audiences to be more open-minded about the film’s interpretation of the mythological character amid criticism over her warrior-like depiction.
Lara, who plays Kaikeyi in the film, addressed the controversy in an interview with NDTV, defending the creative decision to portray Sita as a woman capable of fighting, using weapons and defending herself.
The controversy gained momentum after audiences saw scenes in which Sai Pallavi’s Sita is shown wielding swords, practising combat and fighting demons alongside Lord Rama and Lakshman during their 14-year exile in the forest.
The portrayal has divided viewers. While some have welcomed the idea of presenting Sita as a strong and physically capable woman, others have questioned whether the depiction is consistent with the version of the epic they grew up reading and watching.
Responding to the criticism, Lara pointed out that there are several versions of the ‘Ramayana’ and that audiences should not restrict themselves to a single interpretation.
She argued that children born into royal families in those times could have received training in both the arts and weaponry, making it entirely possible that Sita was also trained in combat.
Lara said it was not far-fetched to imagine Sita possessing such abilities, particularly given the circumstances in which she accompanied Rama into the forest.
She further argued that a woman placed in such situations would not necessarily remain helpless and could learn to defend herself.
“Just enjoy the cinematic experience,” she told NDTV, while urging viewers to stop being “small-minded” and embrace the possibilities of different cinematic interpretations.
Lara also questioned the assumption that Sita should necessarily be portrayed as a passive or helpless character. She pointed out that Sita voluntarily accompanied Rama into a difficult period of forest exile and would naturally have needed resilience and the ability to protect herself.
The filmmakers have previously indicated that their interpretation of Sita draws inspiration from the ‘Adbhuta Ramayana’, which contains an account of a fierce and powerful manifestation of Sita associated with Goddess Kali. In this version, she assumes a formidable form to defeat Sahasra Ravana, a thousand-headed demon.
This is different from the version of Sita familiar to many Indian viewers through Valmiki’s ‘Ramayana’ and Ramanand Sagar’s popular television adaptation, in which her character is predominantly associated with devotion, sacrifice, dignity and endurance.
Lara’s defence comes amid wider criticism surrounding Sai Pallavi’s casting and performance. Before the film’s release, sections of social media questioned whether the actress matched their expectations of Sita’s conventional beauty and appearance. After its release, the debate expanded to include her warrior-like portrayal and certain creative liberties taken by the filmmakers.
Sai Pallavi has also received support from viewers who believe that the character should not be confined to conventional expectations of physical beauty or a limited understanding of femininity.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, ‘Ramayana: Part 1’ features Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Lara Dutta plays Kaikeyi, whose two boons to King Dasharatha lead to Rama’s exile.
The film is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the epic, with the second instalment expected to explore the subsequent events of the story.
Lara’s comments have added an important voice to the ongoing discussion, particularly because she is part of the film’s cast and has a direct understanding of the creative approach adopted by the makers.
Whether audiences ultimately accept this interpretation of Sita remains to be seen. For now, the debate highlights the challenge of adapting an epic that has been retold across generations, with each generation developing its own expectations of the characters.
