Sai Pallavi’s Curly Hair Sparks Ramayana Debate
As Sai Pallavi's look as Sita faces scrutiny, veteran actress Deepika Chikhalia says performance matters more than appearance and urges audiences to wait before judging.
Sai Pallavi’s Curly Hair Sparks Ramayana Debate
Ever since filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari announced his much-awaited Ramayana, discussions surrounding the film’s casting have dominated social media. While Ranbir Kapoor is set to portray Lord Ram, actress Sai Pallavi will be seen as Goddess Sita. However, it is Sai Pallavi’s naturally curly hair that has unexpectedly become the centre of online debate.
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Many social media users questioned whether audiences would accept Sai Pallavi as Sita with her natural look. The discussion intensified after references from Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas describing Sita’s appearance resurfaced online.
Reacting to the debate, veteran actress Deepika Chikhalia, who portrayed Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic Ramayan, said that an actor should be judged by performance rather than physical appearance.
“I have seen Sai Pallavi’s work, and she is an exceptionally talented actress. Whether she looks convincing as Sita can only be decided after seeing her complete appearance in the film. It would be unfair to judge her before that,” Deepika said.
Speaking about the traditional description of Goddess Sita, Deepika explained that Tulsidas described Sita with almond-shaped eyes, long hair, graceful features and a distinct complexion. She added that Ramanand Sagar had looked for an actress who matched that description, which eventually led to her being cast in the legendary television series.
Despite the ongoing debate, Deepika expressed complete confidence in the casting decisions made by the filmmakers.
“Every actor in this film has been selected after careful consideration. They are all talented performers, and I believe they will do justice to their respective roles,” she said.
Deepika also praised actor Yash, who will portray Ravana in the film. Having watched several of his films, she believes he possesses the screen presence required for such a powerful character.
At the same time, she admitted that Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan continues to hold a special place in the hearts of millions, making comparisons with any new adaptation inevitable.
Reflecting on her own career, Deepika revealed that playing Sita brought her immense popularity but also limited her acting opportunities. She said audiences and filmmakers began seeing her only as Sita, making it difficult to secure different kinds of roles.
“People accepted me so strongly as Sita that I rarely received offers for other characters. Even today, I have to struggle to find work,” she said.
She further pointed to modern actors like Ranbir Kapoor, saying today’s performers have greater freedom to experiment with diverse roles compared to actors of her generation.
