Sai Pallavi has sparked a fresh debate around Ramayana: Part 1 after telling an audience that “Ravana is not all bad”, according to a report published today, 8 November. The remark, made during a speech at the film’s Los Angeles premiere before its release, has divided opinion online just as the epic, which opened in theatres on 5 November, settles into its first Diwali weekend.
BollywoodShaadis reported today that Pallavi, who plays Sita opposite Ranbir Kapoor’s Rama, was addressing the premiere crowd when she said audiences should look for the good and the bad within themselves. In her words, as quoted by the outlet: “Because Ravana is not all bad. And it’s important that we spot the Ravana in us, and we make changes over time.” The outlet reported that the comment was picked up and debated widely, coming after weeks in which Pallavi’s casting as Sita had already drawn criticism from sections of the audience.
Dhanush steps in to defend her
Help arrived from an old co-star. BollywoodShaadis also reported today that actor Dhanush, who has starred with Pallavi several times, defended her at a pre-release event for the film, saying he could not understand the noise around her casting. According to the outlet, Dhanush said the casting team had searched all of India for the role of Sita and that “no one could have done justice to the part other than Sai Pallavi.”
Dhanush was quoted as saying Pallavi would pray constantly even during breaks in shooting, and describing her as a performer with a pure heart and profound devotion. The defence lands at a sensitive moment: Kapoor’s casting as Rama has faced similar online criticism since the two-part epic was announced, although Yash, who plays Ravana, has publicly defended his co-star, calling his work as Ram “marvellous”, according to the same report.
What audiences actually think of the film
Away from the casting arguments, the early audience verdict has been warm, particularly for Yash. Filmfare editor-in-chief Jitesh Pillai, writing in an editor’s take published today, 8 November, called the film “a visual buffet” and said Yash was “in fine form”, giving Ravana heft with an imposing screen presence. Pillai also noted that Pallavi gave Sita ‘a sensitive and spiritual touch’, although he added that her dubbed voice bothered him a little.
Social-media reaction gathered by BestDealss on 7 November told a similar story, with viewers praising the film’s visual effects as “Avatar X LOTR-level” and calling the climax mind-blowing, while several said Yash stole the show. The same round-up noted that some viewers felt Sita deserved more screen time. Part 1 ends with Jatayu telling Rama that Sita has been abducted by Ravana, according to BollywoodShaadis, and while Part 2 was previously expected at Diwali 2027, BestDealss reported it has been pushed to 2028 — a change that has not been confirmed by the makers.
