From Skeptic to Supporter: Dipika Chikhlia's Complete Turnaround on Ramayana

In one of the most surprising reactions to emerge from the Ramayana teaser launch, Dipika Chikhlia, the beloved Sita from Ramanand Sagar's iconic 1980s series, has done a complete U-turn on her stance about modern Ramayana adaptations. "I watched the teaser and it's very grand," she told India Today. "Bahut rich lag raha hai. Unhone bahut achhe se banaya hai," she added, expressing genuine excitement about watching the film.

This represents a dramatic shift from the actress who has spent years criticizing Ramayana remakes. Just months ago, Chikhlia told India Today: "Honestly, I am quite disillusioned by people who keep making Ramayan because I don't think you should be doing it. People are making a mess of it." Her previous stance was clear: "Ramayana is not (for) entertainment value; it is something that you learn from. It is a book which is being passed down to us by generations."

The actress was particularly vocal about her displeasure with Adipurush, expressing concerns about creative liberties like giving Kriti Sanon "a pink coloured satin saree" and Saif Ali Khan "a different look because they wanted to do something different, creatively." She had argued that "every time it is going to come back on screen, be it for TV or movie, it is going to have something which is going to hurt people because you are not going to make a replica of the Ramayana that we made."

What changed her mind? The teaser's production values seem to have impressed even this harsh critic. She described it as "very grand" and visually rich, adding that the makers have done a commendable job and that she's now looking forward to watching the film, calling it "beautiful" and well-made.

This endorsement carries significant weight in the industry. Chikhlia's portrayal of Sita remains the gold standard for many viewers, and her response marks a notable shift, as she now appears intrigued and hopeful about the project's execution. The fact that someone who has been so protective of the Ramayana's sanctity is now praising Nitesh Tiwari's vision suggests the director may have struck the right balance between spectacle and reverence.

For an industry still recovering from the Adipurush debacle, Chikhlia's blessing feels like a crucial validation. With Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, the two-part epic is being developed by Nitesh Tiwari, and this original Sita's approval could be exactly what the project needs to win over skeptical audiences.