Designer blouse, styled hair: Lara Dutta's Ramayana look ignites accuracy debate
Actor Lara Dutta's first look as Queen Kaikeyi in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana trailer has triggered debate online. The reactions have centred on her modern blouse, hairstyle and the film's approach to period authenticity.
Director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana trailer has ignited a fresh debate online, with Lara Dutta's first look as Queen Kaikeyi emerging as one of its biggest talking points. While many were surprised with her presence, others questioned her designer saree, neatly tailored blouse and salon-styled hair, arguing that the modern styling clashed with the film's mythological setting.
In the trailer, Lara is seen wearing a green blouse paired with a maroon saree featuring a gold border. Her straightened, side-combed hair and minimal jewellery complete the look. While some viewers found the styling inauthentic, others felt the blouse and overall appearance looked too modern for a character from the Treta Yuga.
The look soon became a talking point on social media, with some users taking aim at the costume design. Others drew comparisons to Ektaa Kapoor’s television serials.
One of the X users wrote, “Who used to design plain raw silk saree with heavy stone embroidery and contrast blouse in Treta Yug (sic)." Another wrote, "Modern saree, salon styled side-combed hair... is this Treta Yuga or 2026? (sic)." A third user chimed in and wrote, “Lara dutta is literally looking as if she is shooting for some TV serial & not Ramayana (sic).”
A fourth user wrote, "Lara dutta as Kaikeyi is such a disappointment, giving ekta kapoor serial vibe (sic),” while another echoed similar sentiments and wrote, “Lara Dutta looks like Jayaji in k3g (sic).”
Lara Dutta is playing the role of Kaikeyi, Ramayana’s most significant and complex character, with her decisions ultimately leading to Lord Ram’s exile and setting the epic’s central events in motion.
While Lara Dutta’s performance as Kaikeyi is yet to be fully seen, her brief appearance in the trailer has already sparked discussions about historical authenticity, costume design and the creative liberties taken by the makers.
Ramayana: Part One is an adaptation of sage Valmiki’s ancient text, the Ramayana, as well as Ramcharitmanas by sage Goswami Tulsidas. The epic story was earlier brought to television in the 1987 series Ramayan, created and directed by Ramanand Sagar.
The first part boasts of an impressive line-up of stars including Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, Arun Govil, Vivek Oberoi and Rakul Preet Singh in key roles. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the film is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release.
Director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana trailer has ignited a fresh debate online, with Lara Dutta's first look as Queen Kaikeyi emerging as one of its biggest talking points. While many were surprised with her presence, others questioned her designer saree, neatly tailored blouse and salon-styled hair, arguing that the modern styling clashed with the film's mythological setting.
In the trailer, Lara is seen wearing a green blouse paired with a maroon saree featuring a gold border. Her straightened, side-combed hair and minimal jewellery complete the look. While some viewers found the styling inauthentic, others felt the blouse and overall appearance looked too modern for a character from the Treta Yuga.
The look soon became a talking point on social media, with some users taking aim at the costume design. Others drew comparisons to Ektaa Kapoor’s television serials.
One of the X users wrote, “Who used to design plain raw silk saree with heavy stone embroidery and contrast blouse in Treta Yug (sic)." Another wrote, "Modern saree, salon styled side-combed hair... is this Treta Yuga or 2026? (sic)." A third user chimed in and wrote, “Lara dutta is literally looking as if she is shooting for some TV serial & not Ramayana (sic).”
A fourth user wrote, "Lara dutta as Kaikeyi is such a disappointment, giving ekta kapoor serial vibe (sic),” while another echoed similar sentiments and wrote, “Lara Dutta looks like Jayaji in k3g (sic).”
Lara Dutta is playing the role of Kaikeyi, Ramayana’s most significant and complex character, with her decisions ultimately leading to Lord Ram’s exile and setting the epic’s central events in motion.
While Lara Dutta’s performance as Kaikeyi is yet to be fully seen, her brief appearance in the trailer has already sparked discussions about historical authenticity, costume design and the creative liberties taken by the makers.
Ramayana: Part One is an adaptation of sage Valmiki’s ancient text, the Ramayana, as well as Ramcharitmanas by sage Goswami Tulsidas. The epic story was earlier brought to television in the 1987 series Ramayan, created and directed by Ramanand Sagar.
The first part boasts of an impressive line-up of stars including Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, Arun Govil, Vivek Oberoi and Rakul Preet Singh in key roles. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the film is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release.
Director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana trailer has ignited a fresh debate online, with Lara Dutta's first look as Queen Kaikeyi emerging as one of its biggest talking points. While many were surprised with her presence, others questioned her designer saree, neatly tailored blouse and salon-styled hair, arguing that the modern styling clashed with the film's mythological setting.
In the trailer, Lara is seen wearing a green blouse paired with a maroon saree featuring a gold border. Her straightened, side-combed hair and minimal jewellery complete the look. While some viewers found the styling inauthentic, others felt the blouse and overall appearance looked too modern for a character from the Treta Yuga.
The look soon became a talking point on social media, with some users taking aim at the costume design. Others drew comparisons to Ektaa Kapoor’s television serials.
One of the X users wrote, “Who used to design plain raw silk saree with heavy stone embroidery and contrast blouse in Treta Yug (sic)." Another wrote, "Modern saree, salon styled side-combed hair... is this Treta Yuga or 2026? (sic)." A third user chimed in and wrote, “Lara dutta is literally looking as if she is shooting for some TV serial & not Ramayana (sic).”
A fourth user wrote, "Lara dutta as Kaikeyi is such a disappointment, giving ekta kapoor serial vibe (sic),” while another echoed similar sentiments and wrote, “Lara Dutta looks like Jayaji in k3g (sic).”
Lara Dutta is playing the role of Kaikeyi, Ramayana’s most significant and complex character, with her decisions ultimately leading to Lord Ram’s exile and setting the epic’s central events in motion.
While Lara Dutta’s performance as Kaikeyi is yet to be fully seen, her brief appearance in the trailer has already sparked discussions about historical authenticity, costume design and the creative liberties taken by the makers.
Ramayana: Part One is an adaptation of sage Valmiki’s ancient text, the Ramayana, as well as Ramcharitmanas by sage Goswami Tulsidas. The epic story was earlier brought to television in the 1987 series Ramayan, created and directed by Ramanand Sagar.
The first part boasts of an impressive line-up of stars including Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, Arun Govil, Vivek Oberoi and Rakul Preet Singh in key roles. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the film is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release.
