📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Lara_Dutta_launches_her_'Prenatal_Yoga'_DVD_(8).jp
Entertainment
Designers Defend Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi Costume Amid Authenticity Criticism
✍️ News18
🗓 04 Aug 2026, 10:28 PM
👁 4
Ramayana costume designers defended Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi look, saying no preserved garments exist for the character and that the outfit was specially crafted for the film.
Ramayana costume designers have publicly defended the Kaikeyi look worn by actress Lara Dutta, after a wave of criticism from audiences who questioned the authenticity of the outfit. The designers clarified that there are no preserved garments from the epic that could serve as a reference, and that the costume was created from scratch based on scholarly research and artistic interpretation.
In response to the backlash that erupted on social media, the design team explained that they consulted ancient texts, visual depictions, and historical studies to construct a period-appropriate attire. They emphasized that the goal was to capture the essence of Kaikeyi’s character rather than replicate a specific existing garment.
The controversy highlights the growing scrutiny of period films in India, where viewers increasingly demand historical accuracy. Despite the criticism, the designers reaffirmed their commitment to authenticity and artistic integrity in their work for the film.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the balance between creative license and fidelity to source material in contemporary Indian cinema.
In response to the backlash that erupted on social media, the design team explained that they consulted ancient texts, visual depictions, and historical studies to construct a period-appropriate attire. They emphasized that the goal was to capture the essence of Kaikeyi’s character rather than replicate a specific existing garment.
The controversy highlights the growing scrutiny of period films in India, where viewers increasingly demand historical accuracy. Despite the criticism, the designers reaffirmed their commitment to authenticity and artistic integrity in their work for the film.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the balance between creative license and fidelity to source material in contemporary Indian cinema.