Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna has criticised director Nitesh Tiwari’s epic, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, over a controversial action sequence featuring Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita. Questioning the altering of the revered text to prioritise massive box office returns over authenticity, Khanna slammed the creative liberties taken in the cinematic adaptation.In his latest vlog addressing the ongoing debate surrounding Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, Khanna said, "Stop putting your own narrative in the Ramayana of Valmiki.

Sharam aani chahiye aapko (You should be ashamed)."While reacting to the fight sequence, the 68-year-old said, "Kya aap andaza laga sakate hai ki Sita Mata Rani Jhansi ki tarah fight kar rahi hai ya aajkal ki heroines jo macho ban jaati hai? Maine Valmiki ji ki Ramayan padhi.

Usmein kahin bhi aisa nahi likha hai ki Sita ji ne kabhi bhi jaakar fight ki hai (Can you guess if Sita Mata is fighting like Rani of Jhansi or like nowadays' heroines who become macho? I have read Valmiki's Ramayana.

Nowhere in it is it written that Sita ji ever went and fought)."He added, "Woh ek Maryada Purushottam ki patni thi jinhone ne seva bhav dikhaya hai. Woh fighter nahi thi.

Agar woh fighter hoti toh woh Raavan se fight karti. Kyun Raavan unhe chup chap pakad ke le gaye (She was the wife of a Maryada Purushottam (the ideal righteous man) who showed a spirit of service.

She was not a fighter. If she were a fighter, she would have fought Ravana.

Why did Ravana just quietly capture and take her away?)"Khanna further expressed utter disbelief over producer Namit Malhotra's clarification that the sequence drew inspiration from alternate texts rather than Valmiki's version.The veteran expressed shock over the producer's defense that the sequence was drawn from alternate texts. Khanna argued that "There is only one Ramayana written by sage Valmiki." While challenging the makers over perceived double standards he asked how they could dare tamper with Hindu epics.

He also questioned whether similar liberties would be attempted with other religious texts.The Shaktimaan actor also argued that commercial recovery motives behind the reported Rs 4,000 crore budget should not compromise traditional narratives. He highlighted that his critique is based on promotional material, audience reactions, and reviews rather than viewing the film himself.

He questioned the general trend of adding personal imaginations to sacred texts, asking whether tampering with epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata is ever justifiable.Ramayana: Rise of a Legend features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. The film was theatrically released on November 5, 2026.Sunny Deol's cameo as Lord Hanuman in the post credits scene teased about his return in the sequel, expected to release in 2028.- Ends