The OG Sita Dipika reacts to Sai's combat sequences in 'Ramayana'

Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana: Part One’ has become a talking point, particularly after glimpses of the character participating in action sequences surfaced online.

While some viewers have welcomed this interpretation, others have questioned whether it aligns with the versions of the epic they have grown up watching and reading.

Amid the debate, Dipika Chikhlia, who immortalised Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic 1987 television series ‘Ramayan’, has now shared her perspective on the matter.Speaking about the sequence, Dipika admitted that she could not recall coming across similar descriptions in the versions of the epic she was familiar with.

However, she also pointed out that the Ramayana has several interpretations, each with its own variations, suggesting that the filmmakers may have drawn inspiration from a version she had not encountered.During a recent interaction with The Free Press Journal, Dipika was asked about the mixed reactions to Sai Pallavi’s action sequence in the film. She said, “Yes, I saw that on Instagram (action sequence). I really don’t know.

The memory that I have of Valmiki’s Ramayana and Tulsidas’ Ramayana, which was majorly a part of our Ramayan, I don’t remember that anywhere we had those kinds of scenes. But there are more than 300 Ramayanas in our country.

Every story, every Ramayana is a little different from the other one. So they (makers) may have picked up something from some Ramayana, which I’m not aware of."Dipika's response was measured, as she refrained from outright questioning the creative decision.

She instead acknowledged that her understanding of Sita's character was largely shaped by the versions of the epic that formed the foundation of Ramanand Sagar's television adaptation.The veteran actress also revealed that she is yet to watch Nitesh Tiwari's film in its entirety. So far, she has only seen the action sequence circulating on Instagram and plans to watch ‘Ramayana: Part One’ after Diwali.

Why has Sai Pallavi's portrayal of Sita sparked debate?

The discussion gained momentum after audiences saw Sai Pallavi's Sita taking part in combat sequences, including a confrontation involving Khara and Dushana's army.

While some viewers questioned whether such a portrayal was consistent with the familiar accounts of the epic, others supported the filmmakers' decision to explore a different dimension of the character.Nitesh Tiwari had addressed the creative choice even before the film's release. Speaking to international media at the Los Angeles premiere, the filmmaker explained that the portrayal was inspired by the ‘Adbhuta Ramayana’, a lesser-known retelling of the epic that depicts Sita as a powerful manifestation of divine feminine energy. This interpretation offers a different perspective on her character and forms the basis for the action-oriented portrayal seen in the film.