Don't decide before you see it: Ramayana designers defend Sita, Kaikeyi looks

The costume designers of Ramayana: Part 1 have responded to criticism over the styling of Sita and Kaikeyi. They said the looks draw from cultural memory and asked audiences to watch the film before judging.

In Short

• Ramayana designers responded to backlash over Sita, Kaikeyi costumes
• The duo revealed that there aren't no preserved garments of that era
• They even urged viewers to not jump to any conclusions before watching the film

The costume designers of Ramayana: Part 1 have addressed the criticism surrounding the modern styling of characters such as Sita and Kaikeyi. Questions have particularly centred on Sita’s blouses, while Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi look has also drawn comparisons with characters from television serials. The designers have urged audiences not to form conclusions about the costumes before watching the film and experiencing the overall visual treatment.

Designers Rimple and Harpreet Narulah, known for their work on Padmaavat and Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, say they anticipated the scrutiny. For them, designing costumes for an epic as deeply rooted in public memory as the Ramayana was always going to involve balancing research with interpretation.

Addressing the criticism over the characters’ looks, Rimple explained that there are no preserved garments from the Treta Yuga that can definitively establish what people wore during that period. “Research is the foundation of costume design, but interpretation is what makes it art. There aren’t preserved garments from that period that we can simply recreate. We’ve all grown up seeing calendar art, miniature paintings, temple imagery and Raja Ravi Varma’s interpretations,” she explained.

Rimple also addressed the criticism surrounding Sai Pallavi’s blouse designs and revealed that her interpretation of Sita was shaped by the imagery Indians have grown up seeing.

“When I close my eyes and think of Goddess Sita, I don’t think about archaeological authenticity. I wanted my Goddess, the one sitting in my mandir, to look like the image that has lived in my consciousness. That was a deliberate choice,” she said.

Apart from Sai Pallavi, Lara Dutta’s look as Queen Kaikeyi was also widely debated on social media. While many questioned her saree and blouse designs, others called out her salon-styled hairstyle.

Speaking about the same, Harpreet explained that the colour palette was also carefully chosen to reflect the character’s emotional journey. “The green in her (Lara Dutta) costume represents motherhood, while the deep maroon reflects the emotional strength and darkness of the decision she has to make. She is torn between her own son and Ram. Every colour was chosen with intention,” he said.

Towards the end, the designers acknowledged that comparisons and opinions were inevitable, given the Ramayana’s place in the collective consciousness. However, they urged viewers to experience the film before judging its visual choices.

“This is our attempt to make an ancient epic speak visually to a new generation. There’s thought behind every thread. We want to appeal to viewers, don’t decide before you see it. Watch it, experience it, and then form your opinion,” Harpreet concluded.

While Lara Dutta’s performance as Kaikeyi is yet to be fully seen, her brief appearance in the trailer has already sparked discussions about historical authenticity, costume design and the creative liberties taken by the makers.

Ramayana: Part 1 is an adaptation of sage Valmiki’s ancient text, the Ramayana, as well as Ramcharitmanas by sage Goswami Tulsidas. The epic story was earlier brought to television in the 1987 series Ramayan, created and directed by Ramanand Sagar.

The first part boasts of an impressive line-up of stars including Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, Arun Govil, Vivek Oberoi and Rakul Preet Singh in key roles. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the film is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release.

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