Kamal Ghorui
The teaser of Ramayana has sparked conversations ever since its release, especially among fans of the iconic Ramayan. Now, Dipika Chikhlia, who immortalised Sita on television, has shared her first reaction — and it marks a noticeable shift from her earlier stance.
‘It’s very grand… looks very beautiful’
Reacting to the teaser featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Dipika told India Today, “I watched the teaser and it’s very grand. Bahut rich lag raha hai. Unhone bahut achhe se banaya hai. (It looks very rich. They made it very well).”She further added, “So now I’m awaiting the film and it’s looking very beautiful, there’s no doubt about it.”
A shift from her earlier criticism
Dipika’s appreciation comes months after she had voiced strong reservations about repeated retellings of the epic. In June 2024, she had said, “Honestly, I am quite disillusioned by people who keep making Ramayan because I don’t think you should be doing it.”She had also remarked, “People are making a mess of it. I don’t think people should be making Ramayan again and again because every time they make it, they want to bring in something new; a new story, a new angle, a new look.”She had also criticised Adipurush during the same interaction.Dipika became a household name in the late 1980s when Ramayan aired on Doordarshan. Her portrayal of Sita continues to be remembered for its grace and simplicity. Arun Govil played Rama, Arvind Trivedi essayed Ravana, while Sunil Lahri and Dara Singh played Lakshman and Hanuman, respectively.
Teaser offers a glimpse into an ambitious retelling
The teaser introduces Ranbir Kapoor as Maryada Purushottam Rama, with brief glimpses of Sai Pallavi as Sita and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, while also teasing the world of Yash’s Ravana.Mounted on a grand scale, the visuals hint at an ambitious cinematic adaptation that focuses on the journey and adventures of Lord Rama.Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and backed by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana is envisioned as a two-part cinematic spectacle. The film also stars Sunny Deol as Hanuman.The music has been composed by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman.The first part is scheduled to release during Diwali 2026, with the second part expected to arrive in Diwali 2027.
