Dipika Chikhlia defends Ramayana casting amid criticism, praises Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi as Ram-Sita

Actor Dipika Chikhlia, who is best known for playing the role of Sita in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana, opened up about the casting of Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming Ramayana. Starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, the trailer of the new adaptation was unveiled recently, gaining mixed reactions from a section of people. Amid the criticism, Chikhlia defended Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi for the role of Ram and Sita.

Dipika Chikhlia on Ranbir Kapoor as Ram

Appearing on the Hindi Rush podcast, Dipika Chikhlia was asked about Tiwari's Ramayana featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Ram. To this, Chikhlia praised Kapoor for his films like Animal, Barfi and more. She added that as an actor, Kapoor's job is to essay different characters and hence, casting him in the film was not a wrong choice.

“He’s an actor. It’s not like we descended from above,” Dipika Chikhlia said, talking about herself and her co-starArun Govil, who played Ram and Sita on the popular TV show. “It’s a great thing for an actor to be able to play varied characters. Someone who can do Barfi can also do Animal. Someone who can do Animal can also play Ram. Imagine his good luck that he got these kinds of roles. He’s very lucky, and it’s very good that he’s doing it,” said Chikhlia.

Dipika Chikhlia on Sai Pallavi after 'Sitaji with curly hair' remark

She also took a U-turn from her previous statement and praised Sai Pallavi for the role of Sita Mata. She clarified that she has nothing negative to say about Pallavi. She said, "I have seen Sai’s South Indian films, and I believe she’s a very good actor. Very, very good actor. I also feel like I had played Sita, and now she’s playing it. So, 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, whatever. But I know she is a very good actor, and she will definitely do very well. She’s beautiful, too. Because it’s important to be a good actor to fit into a role. Why speak badly about anyone’s project? I do not believe in that,” she added ahead of the film's release.

Previously, Dipika Chikhlia seemingly took a dig at Sai Pallavi as Sita. Although the senior actor praised Pallavi's acting skills, she had told Variety India, "The description of Sita in Tulsidas’ Ramayan was that of a woman with almond eyes, a certain height, hair and skin. That’s what Ramanand Sagar was looking for, and he saw it in me.”

“Sitaji with curly hair is not mentioned in Ramayan," she had quipped.

Criticism on Ramayana casting

At a promotional event in Delhi for Ramayana, Sai Pallavi had opened up about essaying the role of Sita in the film. She had said, “It’s not easy for actors to get roles like this. Because it’s not easy to play a Goddess. There must be a team putting their heart and soul into making it the best version.”

“I don’t think I chose to play Sita maa. I was blessed to play this role. It’s not something that you can go after, and not something you can write down and say, this is how I want to play. I would sit and meditate and say, Sita maa, you act through me. Whatever comes through me is what you want for the film," she had said.

On the other hand, Ranbir Kapoor is seemingly aware of criticism towards the casting of the film.

Addressing the same to the Review Nation YouTube channel on the sidelines of San Diego Comic-Con, Kapoor had said, “The first question that popped into my head was, am I worthy? Am I the right person, and why am I being gifted this responsibility to not play Lord Rama but represent him? But very soon you understand the value, the responsibility and the noble intention of the filmmakers to present the story, which has been relevant for 4,000 years. It's deeply ingrained in our subconscious. So I don't think there's a right actor to play Lord Rama."

Tiwari's Ramayana will release on Diwali 2026.