MUMBAI, November 10, 2026: Sai Pallavi's portrayal of Sita in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1 has divided viewers over a sequence in which the character takes up a sword to confront demons. Now, actor Indira Krishnan, who plays Kaushalya in the film, has weighed in on the discussion, admitting that the scene initially surprised her too.
Krishnan said the portrayal was different from the Sita she remembered watching in Ramanand Sagar's celebrated television adaptation. However, she defended the filmmakers' decision, explaining that the sequence was intended to highlight Sita's courage rather than portray her solely through her gentleness.
Her comments come days after Ramayana: Part 1, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, opened in cinemas on November 5.
Indira Krishnan Reacts to Sai Pallavi's Sword Scene
One of the film's much discussed sequences shows Sita wielding a sword during a confrontation with the forces of Khara and Dushana in the forest.
The scene has drawn criticism from viewers who believe it differs from the portrayals of Sita they are familiar with.
Speaking to News18, Krishnan acknowledged that she understood those reactions because her own childhood memories were shaped by Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan.
"As a child, when I watched Ramayan, I never saw Sita as a warrior," she said.
The actor admitted that she initially struggled to reconcile the sword sequence with the television version she had grown up watching.
Her reaction reflected a broader debate about how filmmakers should approach familiar religious and literary characters when adapting them for contemporary audiences.
Why Did the Makers Show Sita Wielding a Sword?
Krishnan explained that the filmmakers wanted to present Sita as a woman capable of defending herself, rather than someone whose strength was limited to patience and compassion.
According to the actor, the film draws attention to Sita's upbringing in a royal family where martial training was considered important.
She said the creative team wanted to establish that Sita possessed courage and could handle a sword when confronted with danger.
The forest sequence, in that interpretation, was intended to bring those qualities into focus.
Krishnan maintained that the filmmakers were trying to show different dimensions of the character rather than reduce her to a conventional image of a gentle princess.
However, her explanation represents the filmmakers' creative approach. It does not, by itself, establish that the sword sequence appears in every traditional version of the Ramayana.
How Is the New Sita Different From Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan?
For several generations of Indian viewers, Ramanand Sagar's television series has remained one of the most familiar screen interpretations of the Ramayana.
The series, first broadcast in 1987, featured Dipika Chikhlia as Sita and Arun Govil as Rama.
Its portrayal of Sita placed considerable emphasis on her devotion, dignity, compassion and endurance.
The new film explores those qualities while also giving the character a direct role in an action sequence.
That difference has become the central point of discussion.
Some viewers have questioned whether the sequence is consistent with their understanding of the epic, while others have interpreted it as an attempt to explore Sita's courage through cinematic storytelling.
Actor Mukesh Khanna has also publicly criticised the decision to depict Sita as a fighter.
Krishnan's response offers another perspective from within the cast, acknowledging the contrast with earlier adaptations while defending the intentions behind the scene.
Indira Krishnan Says Ramayana Gives Its Female Characters Strength
Krishnan said Sita is not the only woman whose characterisation has received particular attention in the film.
The actor explained that she approached Kaushalya, Lord Rama's mother, as an emotionally resilient and confident woman.
Rather than presenting Kaushalya as constantly overwhelmed by sadness, she wanted to bring out the character's inner strength and composure.
The film also explores a different dimension of Kaikasi, Ravana's mother.
According to Krishnan, Kaikasi is presented with a warrior identity, an interpretation that surprised members of the production team.
The actor said these choices were part of the filmmakers' broader attempt to give the women in the story distinct personalities and forms of strength.
Her remarks suggest that Sita's sword sequence is not an isolated creative decision but part of a wider approach to the film's female characters.
Sai Pallavi on the Responsibility of Playing Sita
Sai Pallavi previously spoke about the significance of portraying Sita during the film's Pratham Sankalp event in New Delhi in July 2026.
The actor described the role as a blessing and said she approached it with a strong sense of responsibility.
She explained that playing a revered figure required more than preparing for an ordinary acting assignment.
Pallavi said she spent time meditating and seeking spiritual guidance while working on her portrayal.
Her comments highlighted the personal importance she attached to the character and the care she wanted to bring to the performance.
The actor's preparation has since become another subject of discussion as audiences respond to the film's interpretation of the epic.
About Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana: Part 1 features Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman.
Indira Krishnan plays Kaushalya, while the larger ensemble brings together characters from different parts of the epic.
The first instalment was released worldwide on November 5, 2026.
Its sequel, Ramayana: Part 2, is scheduled for Diwali 2028, following a revision to the earlier release plan.
The discussion surrounding Sita's sword scene highlights a challenge faced by filmmakers adapting stories that hold deep cultural and religious significance.
Audiences often approach these adaptations with established expectations, shaped by traditional narratives as well as previous films and television programmes.
Krishnan's comments do not settle the debate over the scene. They do, however, explain why the creative team chose to present a version of Sita that combines gentleness with the ability to confront danger directly.
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