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Sai Pallavi to Smriti Irani: Actors who portrayed Sita in Ramayana adaptations

Updated On: 31 July, 2026 06:02 PM IST | Shruti Sampat

Fans have been in awe of Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi's Ramayana trailer. Netizens have been praising Sai as Mata Sita, here's a look back at actors who played the goddess onscreen before Sai. 

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Pictures via Instagram and X
Pictures via Instagram and X
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Sai Pallavi (Ramayana 2026)Sai Pallavi's casting as Sita has been widely praised for her natural screen presence and graceful persona. Known for understated performances and expressive acting, she brings simplicity, compassion, and quiet strength to the character. The film presents Sita as more than a devoted wife she is expected to embody resilience, dignity, courage, and unwavering faith. Her traditional appearance, minimal makeup, and expressive eyes brings a unique portrayal of Sita mata. Paired opposite Ranbir Kapoor's Ram, Sai's portrayal is anticipated to introduce a balanced and emotionally rich interpretation of the epic heroine for a new generation.

Sai Pallavi (Ramayana 2026)

Sai Pallavi's casting as Sita has been widely praised for her natural screen presence and graceful persona. Known for understated performances and expressive acting, she brings simplicity, compassion, and quiet strength to the character. The film presents Sita as more than a devoted wife she is expected to embody resilience, dignity, courage, and unwavering faith. Her traditional appearance, minimal makeup, and expressive eyes brings a unique portrayal of Sita mata. Paired opposite Ranbir Kapoor's Ram, Sai's portrayal is anticipated to introduce a balanced and emotionally rich interpretation of the epic heroine for a new generation.

03
Kriti Sanon (Adipurush, 2023)
Kriti Sanon portrayed Janaki, the film's interpretation of Sita, opposite Prabhas. She emphasized the character's compassion, courage, and unwavering faith amid adversity. Despite her sincere performance, Adipurush faced criticism for its dialogues, screenplay, and visual effects, which overshadowed many of the cast's performances. Kriti's emotional scenes, particularly during Sita's captivity in Lanka, were among the film's better-received aspects. Looking at the outfits, it did bring a hint of authenticity with the blouse and colours used.

Kriti Sanon (Adipurush, 2023)

Kriti Sanon portrayed Janaki, the film's interpretation of Sita, opposite Prabhas. She emphasized the character's compassion, courage, and unwavering faith amid adversity. Despite her sincere performance, Adipurush faced criticism for its dialogues, screenplay, and visual effects, which overshadowed many of the cast's performances. Kriti's emotional scenes, particularly during Sita's captivity in Lanka, were among the film's better-received aspects. Looking at the outfits, it did bring a hint of authenticity with the blouse and colours used.

04
Smriti Irani (Ramayan, Zee TV, 2001)
Before becoming a prominent politician, Smriti Irani portrayed Sita in Zee TV's Ramayan. Her version emphasized Sita's devotion, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to dharma. While the series never achieved the popularity of Ramanand Sagar's adaptation, Smriti's dignified performance earned appreciation for portraying Sita with grace, emotional restraint, and quiet strength. Her performance reflected a balance between gentleness and inner resilience. From bright orange saree, floral ornaments to armour inspired blouse, Smriti Irani's portrayal of Sita had outfits that sought inspiration from old days

Smriti Irani (Ramayan, Zee TV, 2001)

Before becoming a prominent politician, Smriti Irani portrayed Sita in Zee TV's Ramayan. Her version emphasized Sita's devotion, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to dharma. While the series never achieved the popularity of Ramanand Sagar's adaptation, Smriti's dignified performance earned appreciation for portraying Sita with grace, emotional restraint, and quiet strength. Her performance reflected a balance between gentleness and inner resilience. From bright orange saree, floral ornaments to armour inspired blouse, Smriti Irani's portrayal of Sita had outfits that sought inspiration from old days

05
Dipika Chikhlia (Ramayan, 1987)
Dipika Chikhlia remains the definitive screen Sita for millions of Indians. Her portrayal in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan became a cultural phenomenon, with viewers often revering her as the goddess herself. She portrayed Sita with unmatched serenity, compassion, humility, and spiritual strength. Her expressions during pivotal moments including the swayamvar, exile, Ashok Vatika, Agni Pariksha, and reunion with Ram remain among Indian television's most iconic scenes. They even experimented with dupatta and the outfits to make it look more authentic. Even decades later, her performance continues to be regarded as the benchmark for every actress portraying Sita.

Dipika Chikhlia (Ramayan, 1987)

Dipika Chikhlia remains the definitive screen Sita for millions of Indians. Her portrayal in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan became a cultural phenomenon, with viewers often revering her as the goddess herself. She portrayed Sita with unmatched serenity, compassion, humility, and spiritual strength. Her expressions during pivotal moments including the swayamvar, exile, Ashok Vatika, Agni Pariksha, and reunion with Ram remain among Indian television's most iconic scenes. They even experimented with dupatta and the outfits to make it look more authentic. Even decades later, her performance continues to be regarded as the benchmark for every actress portraying Sita.

06
Nayanthara (Sri Rama Rajyam, 2011)
Nayanthara's performance is regarded as one of the finest cinematic portrayals of Sita in South Indian cinema. Returning to films after a brief hiatus, she brought exceptional emotional depth to the role. Her portrayal focused on Sita's sacrifice, dignity, unconditional love, and immense inner strength. The scenes depicting Sita's exile, motherhood, and final departure into Mother Earth were widely praised by critics and audiences alike. Her performance earned multiple awards and remains one of the most acclaimed portrayals of the character in modern Indian cinema. Fans often compare her simple looks as Sita with other celebs playing the role

Nayanthara (Sri Rama Rajyam, 2011)

Nayanthara's performance is regarded as one of the finest cinematic portrayals of Sita in South Indian cinema. Returning to films after a brief hiatus, she brought exceptional emotional depth to the role. Her portrayal focused on Sita's sacrifice, dignity, unconditional love, and immense inner strength. The scenes depicting Sita's exile, motherhood, and final departure into Mother Earth were widely praised by critics and audiences alike. Her performance earned multiple awards and remains one of the most acclaimed portrayals of the character in modern Indian cinema. Fans often compare her simple looks as Sita with other celebs playing the role

07
Jaya Prada (Sampoorna Ramayana, Telugu)
Jaya Prada's portrayal combined elegance with classical Indian femininity. She brought poise, grace, and devotional depth to Sita, making the character emotionally compelling without excessive melodrama. Her classical dance background enhanced her regal presence, while her expressive eyes effectively conveyed Sita's pain, devotion, and inner strength. Jaya Prada kept the look royal with the accessories and jewels

Jaya Prada (Sampoorna Ramayana, Telugu)

Jaya Prada's portrayal combined elegance with classical Indian femininity. She brought poise, grace, and devotional depth to Sita, making the character emotionally compelling without excessive melodrama. Her classical dance background enhanced her regal presence, while her expressive eyes effectively conveyed Sita's pain, devotion, and inner strength. Jaya Prada kept the look royal with the accessories and jewels

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Debina Bonnerjee (Ramayan, NDTV Imagine)
Debina Bonnerjee portrayed a youthful and emotionally expressive Sita opposite Gurmeet Choudhary's Ram. Her chemistry with Gurmeet became one of the highlights of the series. Debina captured Sita's innocence, devotion, patience, and unwavering support for Ram while also depicting her emotional vulnerability during exile and captivity. Her portrayal appealed particularly to younger audiences who connected with the modern storytelling style. Debina dominated the screen with her stunning jewellery and outfits for Sita. 

Debina Bonnerjee (Ramayan, NDTV Imagine)

Debina Bonnerjee portrayed a youthful and emotionally expressive Sita opposite Gurmeet Choudhary's Ram. Her chemistry with Gurmeet became one of the highlights of the series. Debina captured Sita's innocence, devotion, patience, and unwavering support for Ram while also depicting her emotional vulnerability during exile and captivity. Her portrayal appealed particularly to younger audiences who connected with the modern storytelling style. Debina dominated the screen with her stunning jewellery and outfits for Sita. 

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Madirakshi Mundle (Siya Ke Ram, Star Plus)
Unlike traditional adaptations, Siya Ke Ram narrated the epic largely from Sita's perspective. Madirakshi Mundle portrayed Sita as intelligent, fearless, compassionate, and independent. She questioned injustice, voiced her opinions, and displayed emotional as well as intellectual strength. Her portrayal modernized Sita without compromising the character's spiritual values, making it one of the most critically appreciated interpretations in recent television history.

Madirakshi Mundle (Siya Ke Ram, Star Plus)

Unlike traditional adaptations, Siya Ke Ram narrated the epic largely from Sita's perspective. Madirakshi Mundle portrayed Sita as intelligent, fearless, compassionate, and independent. She questioned injustice, voiced her opinions, and displayed emotional as well as intellectual strength. Her portrayal modernized Sita without compromising the character's spiritual values, making it one of the most critically appreciated interpretations in recent television history.

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Shivya Pathania (Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush)
Shivya Pathania focused on Sita's journey as a mother after her exile. The series explored her resilience while raising Lava and Kusha alone in Sage Valmiki's ashram. Shivya portrayed Sita's pain, endurance, forgiveness, and maternal strength with emotional sincerity. Her performance highlighted Sita's courage in overcoming hardship while preserving her dignity. Shivya's crown for Maa Sita was most talked about on the show

Shivya Pathania (Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush)

Shivya Pathania focused on Sita's journey as a mother after her exile. The series explored her resilience while raising Lava and Kusha alone in Sage Valmiki's ashram. Shivya portrayed Sita's pain, endurance, forgiveness, and maternal strength with emotional sincerity. Her performance highlighted Sita's courage in overcoming hardship while preserving her dignity. Shivya's crown for Maa Sita was most talked about on the show

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Mallika Sharma (Radha Krishn)
Mallika Sharma has portrayed Sita in devotional and mythological television productions. Her performances emphasize Sita's purity, kindness, patience, and unwavering devotion to Ram. She presents the character with traditional simplicity and reverence, reflecting the spiritual essence associated with the goddess in Indian mythology.

Mallika Sharma (Radha Krishn)

Mallika Sharma has portrayed Sita in devotional and mythological television productions. Her performances emphasize Sita's purity, kindness, patience, and unwavering devotion to Ram. She presents the character with traditional simplicity and reverence, reflecting the spiritual essence associated with the goddess in Indian mythology.

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Prachi Bansal (Shrimad Ramayan, Sony Entertainment Television)
Prachi Bansal's interpretation presents Sita as compassionate yet empowered. The series focuses heavily on her wisdom, resilience, and moral conviction, giving greater importance to her perspective throughout the Ramayana. Prachi portrays Sita as a woman capable of making difficult choices while remaining rooted in righteousness. Her calm expressions, graceful body language, and emotional performances have earned appreciation from viewers. Prachi's outfits were highly praised by viewers as it reminded them of Mata Sita's idols

Prachi Bansal (Shrimad Ramayan, Sony Entertainment Television)

Prachi Bansal's interpretation presents Sita as compassionate yet empowered. The series focuses heavily on her wisdom, resilience, and moral conviction, giving greater importance to her perspective throughout the Ramayana. Prachi portrays Sita as a woman capable of making difficult choices while remaining rooted in righteousness. Her calm expressions, graceful body language, and emotional performances have earned appreciation from viewers. Prachi's outfits were highly praised by viewers as it reminded them of Mata Sita's idols

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