"What in the world made them cast Sai Pallavi as Maa Sita?"
Currently, if there’s one Bollywood project that can be truly be termed as the most anticipated, it is Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana.
The series is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, and also features Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Ravie Dubey, and Sunny Deol.
The trailer for the first part of the mythological duology was released on July 30, 2026.
Since it was released, the trailer has ignited curiosity, questions, and debates.
One of the most discussed aspects is the casting of Sai Pallavi in the saga.
The actress will be seen as Sita in the film.
According to the Ramayana, Sita was an extremely beautiful woman, so much so that she captivated the attention of the demon king Ravana as well as her husband Rama.
Owing to this description, viewers have voiced their disdain and have created subsequent backlash against Sai’s casting as Sita.
Large portions of the audience seem to be adamant that Sai is not ‘beautiful’ enough to play Sita.
Some also pointed out that actresses such as Rakul Preet Singh and Kajal Aggarwal have been cast as other characters in the film.
They opined that these performers would have been better choices to portray Sita in Ramayana.
On X, viewers unabashedly expressed their frustration.
One of them said: “What in the world made them cast Sai Pallavi as Maa Sita?
“Forget about grace or acting, she doesn’t even have the beauty that many people would expect for this role.”
Another said: “Whoever casted Sai Pallavi as Sita Maa in Ramayana deserves to lose his job instantly.
“I mean look at other ladies. All are way better than this overrated actress.
“She and Ranbir are the most auraless on-screen Sita Ram ever.”
Whoever casted Sai Pallavi as Sita Maa in Ramayana deserves to lose his job instantly, I mean look at other ladies, all are way better than this overrated actress
She and Ranbir are the most auraless on-screen Sita Ram ever? #Ramayana pic.twitter.com/DdbUQwNzYX
— Bruce (@_Bruce__007) July 30, 2026
A third declared: “Sai Pallavi has -100 aura. Casting her as Sita Ji is nothing short of an insult.
“Unclear skin, acne spots are reflection of body impurities and hormonal imbalances.
“These things matter a lot when you are casting a divine character.
“Both the main leads are such a big miscast.”
However, some people defended Sai’s casting.
Dipika Chikhlia, who played Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s television series, Ramayan (1987–1988), said:
“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.”
The content creator, Anmol Jamwal, added: “Sai Pallavi’s Hindi diction and delivery is great in the Ramayana trailer.”
Another fan said: “Sai Pallavi is absolutely gorgeous.
“The pre-conceived notion of beauty that it needs to be only light-skinned is a North Indian obsession.
“I am glad Nitesh Tiwari is breaking that notion and barriers.”
“The Ramayana trailer might have mixed opinions, but the casting is spot on.”
Fans were also disappointed that the trailer did not include a single mention or glimpse of Sunny Deol as Hanuman.
However, it is rumoured that Sunny will only have a cameo in the first part with a more significant role in the second instalment.
Ramayana: Part One is scheduled to be released during the Diwali period of 2026, with Part Two hitting the screens during Diwali 2027.
Watch the trailer:
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