Veteran actor Dipika Chikhlia has stepped in to support Sai Pallavi amid the ongoing backlash over her casting as Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. Chikhlia, who remains closely associated with the role after playing Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic Ramayan, said she believes audiences will eventually accept Sai Pallavi once the film is released.
The debate around Sai Pallavi’s casting has been intense on social media, with viewers comparing her to Chikhlia’s widely loved portrayal from the television classic. Addressing the discussion, Chikhlia said the strong emotional connection people still feel with the original cast naturally makes it harder for them to imagine anyone else in those roles. Even so, she expressed confidence that the audience response will change after the film reaches theatres.
Chikhlia said that the affection for the original Ramayan cast, including Arun Govil and Lalit Tiwari, has created a lasting benchmark in the public imagination. That, she explained, is why some confusion is expected whenever a new adaptation reinterprets such beloved characters. But according to her, once viewers see the film in full, they will be able to accept Sai Pallavi’s version of Sita.
The actor also clarified that she has no intention of speaking negatively about Sai Pallavi’s work. She said she has watched the actress’s South Indian films and considers her a strong performer. In her view, being a good actor matters more than matching public expectations before a film is even released. She added that it would not be right to criticise another artist’s project in advance.
Chikhlia’s support is notable because she had earlier expressed some hesitation about Sai Pallavi’s appearance in the role, sparking further debate online. Those earlier comments were interpreted by some as a comparison between the traditional image of Sita and Sai Pallavi’s natural look. In her latest remarks, however, Chikhlia made it clear that her earlier observations were not meant as a dismissal of Sai Pallavi’s talent.
The larger conversation around Ramayana has also turned into a wider debate about how mythological characters are reimagined for modern audiences. With big names like Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi attached to the film, expectations are already high. Chikhlia’s comments suggest that while comparisons are unavoidable, the final judgment should come only after the audience watches the finished film.
