Ramayana release: 10 controversies around casting, music and VFX

Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part Ramayana opens on Diwali, carrying a reported Rs 4,000 crore budget and one of the most scrutinised promotional runs in recent Bollywood memory. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi plays Sita and Yash is Ravana. Yet almost every reveal — a song, a poster, a costume, a teaser — has grown into a larger argument about how the epic should be shown on screen.

Ten debates that refused to fade

Here is a quick sweep of the flashpoints that have kept the project in the headlines:

• Music: AR Rahman’s “Mangal Rang” and “Ravana Tandav” split listeners, with some calling the compositions too Sufi, qawwali-style or electronic for the material.
• VFX and AI claims: Early footage was criticised as looking artificial, with some users suggesting parts resembled AI-generated imagery or unfinished green-screen work.
• Sai Pallavi’s Sita: Her look, makeup, hairstyle, Hindi diction and even regional identity were debated after the trailer.
• Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi: A green blouse, maroon saree and sleek side-parted hair were called too contemporary for the Treta Yuga.
• Ranbir Kapoor’s old remarks: A 2011 comment about enjoying mutton, paya and beef resurfaced and fuelled questions about his casting as Lord Rama.
• Kareena Kapoor Khan rumour: Reports claimed she lost Sita over a salary demand; she told Zoom she was not the choice for the film.
• Mukesh Chhabra’s Ravana comparison: The casting director apologised after podcast remarks about Ravana’s motives drew backlash.
• Script rights dispute: Allu Mantena Media Ventures claimed ownership of script-related material and cautioned against copyright infringement.
• Footage leaks: The Bombay High Court passed a dynamic ad-interim injunction to protect the film from unauthorised recording and streaming.
• Special screening demand: Shri Ramlila Mahasangh sought a preview for religious organisations and warned of protests if denied.

Casting and the weight of reverence

Two casting choices drew the sharpest reactions. Sai Pallavi has dealt with everything from her styling to an old interview resurfacing around violence and conflict, which some used to call for a boycott. Ranbir Kapoor’s 2011 food remark also returned into circulation, even as reports said he adopted a sattvic routine for the role.

Costume designer Rimple offered a calm explanation for Sita’s wardrobe: the look came from her own personal understanding of the goddess, not an attempt at archaeological reconstruction. It is a useful reminder that every frame of this film is an interpretation, and interpretations are exactly where audiences feel most protective.

Music, VFX and the question of scale

AR Rahman, who worked with Hans Zimmer on the score, responded to the music backlash by quoting Steve Jobs: “If you want to satisfy everyone, go sell ice cream.” He explained to Screen that a composition can take months of thought and that he is his own first critic.

The visual effects debate followed a similar path. Director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra said the trailer had unfinished VFX and the film is built for IMAX 3D. Yash, who plays Ravana, asked audiences to look past minor imperfections, warning that if ambitious projects do not get support, producers may hesitate to attempt them again.

How much does online anger actually matter?

Ten controversies might sound like a terrible omen, but pre-release noise does not always translate into empty seats. The film still gets the launch of a major Diwali release, and the audience verdict will rest on the final cut: storytelling, performances, music and how the adaptation sits with a story millions of families hold dear.

For fans, the sensible approach is simple: skip the clipped outrage, watch the film on the biggest screen possible, and let the epic make its own case.

Source: India Today