Mukesh Khanna Objects to Sita’s Portrayal in Ramayana

Bollywood actor Mukesh Khanna, widely known for portraying Shaktimaan and Bhishma Pitamah in B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharat, has strongly criticised the portrayal of Goddess Sita in the upcoming film Ramayana, in which Sai Pallavi plays the role. In a lengthy vlog, Khanna questioned the depiction of Sita as a warrior who engages in battles. Referring to Valmiki’s Ramayana, he said the epic does not describe Sita fighting like Rani of Jhansi or modern action heroines. He also argued that during the 14-year exile, Sita did not participate in any battle.

Khanna specifically referred to the episode involving Khara and Dushana, stating that Lord Ram alone fought and defeated them, while Sita and Lakshman were not part of the battle. He also questioned the logic of portraying Sita as a warrior when the epic describes her abduction by Ravana and her subsequent stay at Ashoka Vatika. Reacting to producer Namit Malhotra’s explanation that the scene was inspired by the Adbhuta Ramayana, Khanna said he was shocked and maintained that filmmakers should follow Valmiki’s version. He also criticised the reported prominence given to Ravana over Ram and accused the makers of focusing more on recovering the film’s reported ₹4,000 crore budget than preserving the epic’s narrative. Referring to the backlash against Adipurush, he warned the makers to remember the reaction that film received.

Khanna clarified that he has not watched Ramayana and that his comments are based on its promotional material and audience reactions. He also objected to the reported ticket price of ₹1,200, saying he did not want to spend that amount on a film made by people he believes are focused only on profits. He further described actor Anupam Kher’s positive review as “shameless” and compared changes to religious epics with altering sacred texts such as the Quran or the Bible. Khanna argued that creative freedom should not be used to change the stories of revered religious figures. The filmmakers have not yet responded to his remarks.