Following its theatrical debut during Diwali on November 5, the big-budget cinematic adaptation of Ramayana has become the subject of intense debate among viewers. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash, the feature has drawn considerable attention not only for its scale and performances but also for specific creative choices that deviate from classical accounts. The controversy centers heavily on an action sequence where Sai Pallavi, portraying Sita, steps onto the battlefield to directly engage hostile forces in combat.
The Battlefield Action Scene and Audience Polarization
In the film, the narrative depicts Sita entering active combat alongside Ram in the forest, taking up arms to overcome a force of 14000 demon adversaries. This creative decision quickly polarized filmgoers. While some viewers view the sequence as an empowering cinematic reinterpretation, traditionalists argue that historical and literary tradition never placed Sita on the frontlines of this specific engagement. Consequently, criticism mounted rapidly as clips of the action scene circulated widely.
Audience Critiques Regarding Scriptural Fidelity
One viewer sharing footage of the sequence labeled the scene a serious distortion of the epic, arguing that the battle against the 14000-strong army sent by Khar and Dushan was fought exclusively by Ram. The commentator emphasized that Ram had deliberately placed Sita under the protection of Lakshman away from the battlefield. Another critic noted that this encounter represents one of the most perilous confrontations in the narrative, leaving Ram covered in blood, and argued that Ram never permitted Sita to step into such physical carnage.
A third viewer detailed the underlying context, pointing out that Khar sent 14000 warriors into battle to avenge his sister Shurpanakha, and Ram eradicated the entire demon army entirely on his own. From this perspective, depicting Sita engaged in combat alters foundational facts for visual spectacle. Conversely, other viewers offered support for the creative liberty. One woman responded to critics by suggesting that discomfort with seeing Sita portrayed as an active fighter in battle stems from patriarchal expectations around female submissiveness.
The Scriptural Account in Valmiki Ramayana
According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Sita never took part in any physical battle throughout the 14 years of exile in the forest. During the assault led by demon warlords Khar and Dushan with their 14000 troops, Ram explicitly instructed Lakshman to escort Sita to a secure cave for her protection. Ram confronted and vanquished the entire legion single-handedly through his martial prowess. The portrayal in the new film represents a conscious dramatic reinvention rather than an adherence to traditional texts.
