The teaser of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is finally out, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Amid comparisons with Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan TV show, actor Dipika Chikhlia, who played Sita in the show, has reacted to the newly released teaser. She had previously seemed against the idea. (Also Read: 5 key details you might have missed in Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash’s Ramayana teaser)
Dipika Chikhlia on Ramayana teaser
Speaking to India Today, Dipika praised the teaser and said she looks forward to watching the film. The actor said, “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). So now I’m awaiting the film and it’s looking very beautiful, there’s no doubt about it.”
She seems to have changed her mind as she told the publication in June 2024, “Honestly, I am quite disillusioned by people who keep making Ramayan because I don’t think you should be doing it. 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.” Dipika had also slammed Om Raut’s Adipurush in the interview.
Dipika became a household name in the late 1980s when Ramayan was telecast on Doordarshan. Her portrayal of Sita was widely loved for its grace and simplicity. Arun Govil played Rama, Arvind Trivedi was Ravana, Sunil Lahri was Lakshman, and Dara Singh was Hanuman in the show.
About the Ramayana films
Ramayana: Parts 1 and 2 are among the most ambitious films ever made in India. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, produced by Namit Malhotra and co-produced by Yash, Shridhar Raghavan has written the film. Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman are composing the film’s score. VFX for the film is by 8-time Oscar winner DNEG.
The teaser offers a brief look at Ranbir as Rama as it hints at various chapters from Ramayana. Sai, Yash and other characters’ looks have yet to be revealed in the film. “To reach till this moment, it has personally taken me seven years. Filmmaking is a speculative and lonely process. Every moment of these seven years, I’ve imagined this moment as to what the reaction would be when it comes out,” said Nitesh at the teaser launch.
He emotionally added, “Today, looking at your reaction, I feel the seven years are worth those seven years. A lot of people have worked on this film. We hope we get much love from you all.”
“We’ve made this (film) with a lot of love. Before you let it go, there’s a feeling of wanting to keep it, and we are like, ‘Are we ready to share it?’ Thanks to Nitesh and the team who have worked hard to put this labour of love. I’m proud of what we’ve put out. I hope you all have loved it. You don’t pick Ramayana, Ramayana picks you,” said Namit.
Ramayana: Part 1 will be released in theatres on Diwali 2026 and Part 2 will be released on Diwali 2027.
