Costume Designer Defends Ramayana Blouse Choices
Veteran costume designer Rimple Narula addresses online criticism regarding stitched blouses in the new 'Ramayana', emphasizing creative intent and audience expectations.
The Cliff News | 10 November 2026
In an era where cinematic creative decisions are under immediate public scrutiny, costume designers are increasingly compelled to justify their artistic choices. Rimple Narula, who boasts 26 years of experience alongside her husband and creative partner Harpreet Narula, has found herself explaining the rationale behind the costumes for the recently released epic, Ramayana.
The use of stitched blouses for female characters, a detail set in the Treta Yuga, sparked significant online debate. Narula acknowledged that audiences hold deep-seated expectations for a story that has been a cornerstone of India's collective consciousness for generations.
Navigating Audience Expectations
Narula stated, “I know a lot of hue and cry happened over stitched blouses in Treta Yuga. I understand. I am a designer who has delivered award-winning cinema to you guys. So it’s okay even if people were very fast in judging us. All I want to say is that when the responsibility is given to Rimple and Harpreet, who have been custodians of history and culture for so many years via films or our own creations with our established couture label, have faith in us!”
She explained that the team's intention was to cultivate a visual identity that felt authentically Indian, while remaining acutely aware of the profound emotions and faith audiences associate with the revered epic. The objective, Narula stressed, was not to create a precise historical reproduction.
The Creative Process Under Scrutiny
Narula shared the inherent nervousness that accompanies projects of such magnitude, noting the current climate of rapid judgment. “Whenever a project of this scale happens, there is always nervousness because nowadays, people are very quick to decide the fate of anything…challenging their brain…something like this with thousands of iterations, repetitions…not a news story…and has lived in a collective consciousness of people for so many decades….to remake something like this…always invites debate,” she remarked.
Despite the pressure, Narula expressed initial exhilaration upon being selected for the costume design. However, this soon transformed into a profound sense of responsibility to deliver visually appealing results. “But I was super excited when we had got finalised for making the costumes. Soon after, the exhilaration had turned into responsibility. The moment it was all finalised, we had to deliver something visually appealing,” Narula added.
A Legacy of Period Design
The designer duo, Rimple and Harpreet Narula, have a distinguished portfolio that includes other significant period projects such as Padmaavat (2018) and Heeramandi (2025). Their approach across these productions is characterized by a deep and continuous engagement with India's rich textile heritage, intricate embroidery traditions, and artisanal craftsmanship.
For Narula, costume design transcends mere aesthetic appeal on screen. It involves a comprehensive understanding of a fabric's origin, the historical narrative woven into specific embroidery techniques, and how garments can effectively establish and immerse audiences in the world of a story.