Entertainment
Dipika Chikhlia clarifies her stance on Sai Pallavi’s Sita… says ‘She is a very, very good actor’ amid Ramayana debate
After her earlier remarks about Sita’s traditional appearance sparked discussions, the original TV Sita has expressed admiration for Sai Pallavi’s acting and urged fans to wait for the film’s release.
As anticipation grows for Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of Ramayana, veteran actress Dipika Chikhlia has clarified her views on Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita, making it clear that she holds the actress in high regard despite earlier comments that triggered online debate.
Dipika, who became a household name after portraying Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television series Ramayan, said she has no objection to Sai Pallavi playing the revered character and believes the actress is more than capable of doing justice to the role.
Dipika Chikhlia praises Sai Pallavi
Speaking during an interview on the Hindi Rush podcast, Dipika Chikhlia described Sai Pallavi as an exceptionally talented performer.“I have seen Sai’s South Indian films, and I believe she’s a very, very good actor,” Dipika said.
She also made it clear that she does not wish to criticise the casting, adding that audiences should wait until the film is released before forming opinions.“I don’t want to say anything negative. Why should I say anything? She is a very good actor. Ultimately, when it releases, we will see,” she added.
Her comments come after social media users interpreted her previous observations about Sita’s appearance as criticism of Sai Pallavi’s casting.
Earlier remarks on Sita’s traditional description
Dipika explained that her earlier statements were based on descriptions found in traditional texts rather than criticism of any actor.
Recalling the casting process for the original Ramayan, she said Ramanand Sagar looked for features that closely matched descriptions found in Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas, including almond-shaped eyes, specific facial features, and overall appearance.
According to Dipika, curly hair is not mentioned in the traditional descriptions of Sita, which is why she had made that observation earlier. However, she reiterated that this should not be seen as disapproval of Sai Pallavi’s performance.
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Sai Pallavi on portraying Goddess Sita
At a promotional event for Ramayana, Sai Pallavi spoke about the responsibility that comes with portraying one of India’s most revered mythological figures.
The actress described the opportunity as both challenging and deeply meaningful.“It’s not easy for actors to get roles like this because it’s not easy to play a Goddess,” Sai Pallavi said.
She credited the filmmakers for approaching the project with dedication and said she felt fortunate to be chosen for the role.
The actress also revealed that she approached the character with humility, describing the experience as one of meditation and complete surrender to the role.
Star-studded cast and release schedule
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana features an ensemble cast led by Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana.
The epic adaptation will be released in two parts, with Part One scheduled to arrive in cinemas during Diwali 2026, followed by Part Two in Diwali 2027.
With one of the biggest budgets ever allocated to an Indian film and a cast featuring some of the country’s biggest stars, Ramayana remains one of the most anticipated cinematic releases in recent years.
