Dipika Chikhlia Backs Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram Amid Controversy

Support for Ranbir Kapoor's Role as Lord Ram

The casting of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's highly anticipated two-part film has sparked significant discussion, drawing in notable figures from Indian television. Dipika Chikhlia, renowned for her portrayal of Sita in the classic 1987 Ramayan by Ramanand Sagar, has publicly defended Kapoor, countering the backlash that emerged following the film's trailer release.

During a recent podcast, Chikhlia remarked, “An actor who can take on a role in Animal is certainly capable of embodying Ram. It’s a stroke of luck for him to explore such diverse characters.”

Her remarks followed a statement from Nitish Bharadwaj, who famously played Krishna in B.R. Chopra's Mahabharat. Bharadwaj urged Kapoor to consider his cultural obligations and avoid projects like Animal in the future.

Chikhlia also shared her thoughts on Sai Pallavi's casting as Sita, expressing her desire to reserve judgment until the film's release, while acknowledging Pallavi's impressive acting credentials. She emphasized the importance of staying true to original texts such as Valmiki's Ramayan and Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, advocating against the introduction of unfamiliar narratives.

Reflecting on her own experiences, Chikhlia fondly remembered the overwhelming affection she and her co-star Arun Govil received from fans. She expressed joy that Govil, who portrayed Lord Ram in the beloved series, is now taking on the role of Dasharath in the upcoming film.

The ambitious project, Ramayana, is reported to have a budget of approximately Rs 4,000 crore and features music by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer. It is set to be released in two parts, with the first installment scheduled for October 2026 and the second for Diwali 2027.