Ramayana designers say Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi, Sai Pallavi’s Sita costumes ‘conscious decisions’

The Ramayana designers, Rimple and Harpreet Narula, have clarified that their costume choices for Lara Dutta's Kaikeyi and Sai Pallavi's Sita were "conscious decisions." During an interview with NDTV, Rimple explained that the green and maroon blouse paired with a dark maroon saree for Kaikeyi was meant to signify the complexity of the situation, where Kaikeyi was trying to protect her son and banish Lord Ram simultaneously.

She chose a dark ox blood colour for Kaikeyi's saree to reflect the ambiguity surrounding her actions. Harpreet added that the designers prioritized faith over authenticity, focusing on the interpretation of the characters through beloved iconography and colours that have been ingrained in Indian culture. They aimed to create a universal silhouette for Sita to ensure that global audiences would easily identify her, given the diverse interpretations of her character in different regions.

Rimple further discussed designing Sita and Shurpanakha as main female characters, highlighting the unique qualities and grace of each character. Overall, the designers emphasized their goal of creating a visually engaging adaptation that would resonate with audiences worldwide while staying true to their faith and the collective consciousness of the story.