Mukesh Khanna Takes Aim at Ramayana Makers Over Sai Pallavi’s Fight Scene as Sita, Says ‘Sharam Aani Chahiye Aapko’

Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has voiced strong displeasure over the depiction of Mata Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, raising objections to a scene in which she is shown fighting.

The actor believes the portrayal departs from Valmiki’s original epic, which, according to him, does not present Sita as a warrior. In a recent vlog, the Shaktimaan star accused the filmmakers of introducing their own interpretations into the sacred text. He also questioned whether the production team was more concerned about recovering the film’s reported Rs 4,000 crore budget than ensuring an authentic adaptation of the epic.

Khanna clarified that he has not watched the film and has formed his opinion after seeing its promotional content and going through audience reactions and reviews. He questioned the practice of adding or removing incidents from revered religious stories to suit a filmmaker’s creative vision.

Mukesh Khanna objects to Sita being shown as a fighter

Speaking about the controversial action sequence, Khanna said Sita should not be portrayed as a warrior resembling Rani Lakshmibai or contemporary action heroines. Citing his understanding of Valmiki’s Ramayana, he maintained that there is no account of Sita engaging in combat.

According to the actor, Sita’s character represented devotion, dignity and dedication, rather than physical strength or fighting skills. He further questioned why Ravana could abduct her without resistance if she was capable of fighting in the manner shown in the film.

Questions Namit Malhotra’s explanation

Khanna also reacted to producer Namit Malhotra’s explanation that the sequence was inspired by the Adbhuta Ramayana rather than Valmiki’s version. He said the clarification left him surprised and questioned the filmmakers’ decision to incorporate interpretations from other versions of the epic.

Drawing comparisons with the Quran and the Bible, Khanna argued that filmmakers should exercise similar caution while adapting sacred texts from different religions. He strongly urged the makers not to insert their personal narratives into Valmiki’s Ramayana and to respect the sentiments associated with the epic.

Star-studded cast of Ramayana

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Mata Sita, Yash as Ravana and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. The film has attracted widespread attention, with its casting and creative interpretation of the Hindu epic becoming major talking points.