'Looks very rich': Dipika Chikhlia, who played Sita's role in Ramanand Sagar's version, reacts to Ramayana trailer

The makers of Valmiki Ramayana have unveiled a trailer of the movie on the occasion of Hanuman Janmotsav earlier today, triggering a flood of reactions. Now, veteran actor Dipika Chikhlia, who famously portrayed Sita in Ramayan, has shared her reaction—and it signals a notable change from her earlier views.

Speaking about the teaser featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Dipika expressed admiration for the film’s scale and execution. She described the visuals as “grand” and said the project appears to have been crafted with great attention to detail.

“It looks very rich and beautifully made,” she said, adding that she is now looking forward to the film’s release.

Her positive response comes months after she had openly questioned the trend of repeatedly adapting the Ramayana for modern audiences. In a previous interview, she had said that frequent reinterpretations risk diluting the essence of the epic, as filmmakers often try to introduce new angles or narratives.

She had also criticised past adaptations, including Adipurush, during the same conversation.

Dipika became a household name in the late 1980s with her portrayal of Sita, alongside Arun Govil as Rama. The show also featured Arvind Trivedi as Ravana, Sunil Lahri as Lakshman, and Dara Singh as Hanuman. Even decades later, her performance is remembered for its simplicity and grace.

‘Valmiki Ramayana’: Cast, scale, and release plans

The teaser introduces a star-studded cast, with Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, and Yash portraying Ravana. Sunny Deol is set to play Hanuman.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the film is planned as a two-part cinematic saga. The music is composed by global and Indian maestros Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman.

The first installment is slated for release during Diwali 2026, with the second part expected to follow in Diwali 2027.

The shift in Dipika Chikhlia’s stance—moving from criticism to cautious optimism—mirrors the broader curiosity surrounding this ambitious retelling of one of India’s most revered epics.