Ramayana New Controversy: Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has raised questions over the way Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana has presented certain aspects of the Indian epic. The seasoned actor, who is known for openly sharing his views on mythological adaptations, believes filmmakers should be careful while making changes to stories that hold religious and cultural importance.
In his latest video, he also questioned whether the makers were more concerned about recovering the film’s massive budget than telling the story correctly. Khanna shared his reaction on his YouTube channel, Bheeshm International. He pointed out that discussions around Ramayana have increasingly focused on its reported Rs 4,000 crore budget and box-office earnings rather than the authenticity of its portrayal.
MUKESH KHANNA QUESTIONS RAMAYANA MAKERS OVER CREATIVE LIBERTIES
Expressing his disappointment, the Shaktimaan actor questioned whether filmmakers should be allowed to add or remove details from epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata to suit their creative vision.
He said, “A film called Ramayana has been released, and there is a debate going on across the country. The main issue has become its earnings – whether the makers have spent Rs 400 crore or Rs 4,000 crore and how they will recover that amount. This has become the main discussion. Nobody is asking whether we are telling you the story of Ramayana correctly or not.”
He further asked, “Is it justified to make changes to our biggest epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, by subtracting or adding things and putting your own imagination into the film?”
WHY IS MUKESH KHANNA UPSET WITH SAI PALLAVI’S SITA IN RAMAYANA PART 1?
One of Khanna’s biggest objections is directed at the action sequence featuring Sai Pallavi as Mata Sita. In the film, the character is shown fighting demons, but the veteran actor argued that Valmiki’s Ramayana does not describe Sita as a warrior. He compared the portrayal to Rani Lakshmibai and questioned the need to show the character fighting.
He said, “Can you imagine Mata Sita fighting like Rani Lakshmibai or like actresses today who are shown as macho? I have read Valmiki ji’s Ramayana, and nowhere is it mentioned that Sita ji went out and fought. She was the wife of Maryada Purushottam and represented a sense of devotion and service. She was not a fighter. If she had been a fighter, she would have fought Ravana. Then why was she taken away by Ravana without putting up a fight?”
Khanna also reacted strongly to producer Namit Malhotra’s clarification that the particular sequence was inspired by the Adbhuta Ramayana and not Valmiki’s version. The actor said he was shocked by the explanation and accused the makers of introducing their own narrative into the epic.
He remarked, “I was in shock after the producer claimed that he had not taken that particular scene from Valmiki’s Ramayana. They said they had taken it from the Adbhuta Ramayana. Ramayana was one, written by Valmiki ji. How can he dare to speak about Ramayana? Show this courage by doing the same with another religion. Can you make changes to the Quran or the Bible? If not, then how did you get the courage to make changes to our Gita and Ramayana? Stop putting your own narrative into Valmiki’s Ramayana. Sharam aani chahiye aapko.”
MUKESH KHANNA CLARIFIES HE HAS NOT WATCHED RAMAYANA
Interestingly, Khanna also made it clear that he has not watched the film. His comments are based on the promotional material released by the makers and feedback from viewers. His video has since attracted attention on social media, with the controversy over Sita’s portrayal becoming a talking point. The makers have not issued an official response to his remarks so far.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Ravi Dubey is also part of the ensemble cast. The film has reportedly crossed the Rs 400 crore mark at the Indian box office, while its second part is scheduled to arrive during Diwali 2028.