Nitesh Tiwari‘s ‘Ramayana‘ has generated quite the buzz on and off social media, following its trailer release on July 30. While the film has been praised for its scale, visual effects and performances, one aspect that has sparked debate online is its costume design, particularly that of its female characters.Not to long after the film’s trailer debuted on YouTube, several social media users debated about the costumes worn by Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita, Lara Dutta, who essays Queen Kaikeyi and Rakul Preet Singh who plays Surpanakha. Although clad in sarees and other Indian ethnic wear, some felt that the outfits appeared ‘too modern’ for an ancient Indian epic. While calling out the film’s Rs 4,000 crore budget, some compared the characters’ looks to designer bridal wear and to costumes worn in television serials.

Fans give ‘Ramayana’ ladies a costume makeover

Amid the chatter, AI-generated images of the film’s leading ladies are now going viral as the artwork reimagines the female characters in costumes inspired by filmmaker Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan: I’ and ‘Ponniyin Selvan: II’, giving them a more regal and historically inspired appearance.The give Sai, Lara, Rakul a costume, hair and accessory makeover and have shared them online with the caption, “If #Maniratnam made the female leads of #Ramayana.”

Sai Pallavi and Lada Dutta’s looks spark debate

The debate around the costumes had the looks of Sai Pallavi’s Goddess Sita and Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi coming under scrutiny, with social media users comparing her saree and styling to that of a matriarch in popular soap television serials rather than an ancient queens from the Ramayana.One social media user wrote, “I don’t think the conversation is just about historical accuracy. It’s about how costumes quietly tell us who’s supposed to be ‘good’ and who’s supposed to be ‘bad.’ That’s the detail I couldn’t ignore. Do you agree, or am I reading too much into it?”Another commented, “Ramayana may be aiming for grandeur, but the sarees and blouses are one detail I just can’t get past. The way the women are styled feels far too modern for the world the film is trying to recreate. The drapes, the stitched blouses, the way the sarees are put together — it doesn’t really reflect how sarees were traditionally worn. And when you’re recreating an epic rooted in Indian history, culture and tradition, these details matter. Is this artistic liberty or just a costume-design miss?”The debate has divided audiences, with some defending the filmmakers’ creative choices while others called for greater historical authenticity.

‘Ramayana’ release date

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, ‘Ramayana’ stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and is slated for a Diwali 2026 release.