The teaser of Ramayana has sparked massive buzz online, and one reaction in particular is drawing attention. Dipika Chikhlia, who famously played Sita in the iconic Ramayan, has praised the first glimpse of the upcoming film starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram—despite previously expressing skepticism about repeated adaptations of the epic.
Dipika Chikhlia reacts to the Ramayana teaser
Speaking to India Today, Dipika Chikhlia said the teaser of the film looks visually impressive and grand.
“I watched the teaser and it’s very grand. Bahut rich lag raha hai. Unhone bahut achhe se banaya hai,” she said, adding that the film appears beautifully crafted.
The actor also said she is now looking forward to watching the full film when it releases.
Her reaction carries weight for many viewers. Chikhlia’s portrayal of Sita in the 1980s television classic remains one of the most beloved interpretations of the character in Indian pop culture.
For millions who grew up watching the show, her opinion still holds symbolic importance.
From skepticism to cautious optimism
Interestingly, Chikhlia had earlier voiced strong reservations about modern retellings of the Ramayana.
In an interview in June 2024, she said she was “disillusioned” by the trend of repeatedly adapting the epic for the screen. According to her, filmmakers often attempt to introduce unnecessary changes.
“Honestly, I am quite disillusioned by people who keep making Ramayan because I don’t think you should be doing it,” she had said at the time.
She had also criticized the 2023 mythological film Adipurush, which faced heavy backlash for its dialogues, visual effects and creative liberties.
Against that backdrop, her positive response to the teaser signals a noticeable shift—from skepticism to cautious optimism.
And audiences noticed.
What the Ramayana teaser reveals
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the upcoming two-part film is among the most ambitious mythological projects ever attempted in Indian cinema.
The teaser briefly introduces Ranbir Kapoor as Ram while hinting at key moments from the epic narrative. However, the looks of other major characters—including Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana—have not yet been revealed.
Behind the scenes, the project is being mounted on a massive scale.
The film is produced by Namit Malhotra and written by Shridhar Raghavan, with Oscar-winning visual effects studio DNEG handling VFX.
The musical score is another headline-grabbing collaboration between two global composers: Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman.
That combination alone signals the scale of the project.
The legacy of Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan
Any new retelling of the Ramayana inevitably invites comparisons with the legendary TV series created by Ramanand Sagar.
First broadcast on Doordarshan in 1987, the show became a cultural phenomenon across India. Streets would reportedly fall silent during its telecast as families gathered around televisions.
The cast—including Arun Govil as Ram, Arvind Trivedi as Ravana, Sunil Lahri as Lakshman and Dara Singh as Hanuman—became synonymous with their roles.
Even today, many viewers continue to associate those actors with the characters they portrayed.
That legacy is exactly why every new adaptation faces intense scrutiny.
A seven-year journey to the big screen
At the teaser launch event, Nitesh Tiwari revealed that bringing the project to life has taken years of planning and development.
“Filmmaking is a speculative and lonely process,” he said, adding that he had imagined audience reactions throughout the seven-year journey of developing the film.
Producer Namit Malhotra also described the project as a “labour of love,” emphasizing the emotional investment behind the film.
“You don’t pick Ramayana, Ramayana picks you,” he said.
With its massive scale, global talent and intense public expectations, Ramayana is already one of the most discussed upcoming Indian films. And if even the original Sita is impressed by the first glimpse, curiosity around the film may only grow stronger as its release approaches.
