Ranbir Kapoor & Sai Pallavi's 'Ramayana' First Look Finally Leaked? Shocking Set Photos Go Viral

The highly anticipated mythological epic Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, has been at the center of intense fan speculation. With the film slated for a grand Diwali 2026 release (part one expected this year), any glimpse from the sets generates massive buzz. In early March 2026, viral images claiming to show Ranbir and Sai Pallavi in their regal Ram-Sita avatars spread like wildfire across social media, X (Twitter), Instagram, and Reddit. The clear, high-quality photos depicted the actors in elaborate royal costumes, gold jewellery, crowns, and traditional attire—Ranbir with hands clasped in a divine pose, Sai Pallavi gazing admiringly—sparking excitement and debates: "Finally, the first look!" vs. "Is this real or AI?"

However, the truth behind these "leaked" looks came swiftly from an unexpected source: television actor Ashish Sharma, who famously portrayed Lord Ram in the popular 2015-2016 Star Plus show Siya Ke Ram. Ashish took to social media to debunk the viral images, confirming they are fake and digitally manipulated. Sharing one of the circulated photos alongside his original still from Siya Ke Ram, he humorously captioned it: "Here you go. One more 'Original' leaked image. AI couldn’t replace my Hair." The post revealed that the images were face-swapped edits—Ranbir and Sai Pallavi's faces superimposed onto his and co-star Madirakshi Mundle's (who played Sita) bodies from the TV series sequence. The telltale sign? The unchanged hairstyle and other details that didn't match the actors' known appearances from Ramayana sets.

Ashish's revelation quickly went viral, with fans praising his quick wit and the way he protected the sanctity of the epic characters he once embodied. He has previously been vocal about mythological portrayals, including criticizing Adipurush for its execution. His intervention helped clarify that no official leaks have surfaced from Nitesh Tiwari's sets—previous glimpses (like Ranbir's long-haired, slimmed-down look in training gear) were controlled first-looks or paparazzi shots, not high-res costume reveals.

The Ramayana project, produced by DNEG and Namit Malhotra, is one of Bollywood's most ambitious undertakings, featuring a massive ensemble including Yash (as Ravana), Sunny Deol, and Ravie Dubey. The film promises a faithful, visually spectacular adaptation with cutting-edge VFX. The first trailer is rumored to drop around Ram Navami (March 26, 2026), building even more anticipation. Fans have noted that Ranbir's real on-set look (longer hair, simpler yet divine vibe) differs significantly from the viral fakes, and Sai Pallavi's portrayal emphasizes grace over heavy glamour.

This incident highlights the growing issue of AI-generated fakes and face-swaps in Bollywood, especially for high-profile projects like Ramayana. Similar hoaxes have plagued other films, misleading fans and creating unnecessary controversies. Ashish Sharma's bust not only exposed the edit but also reminded everyone to verify before believing viral "leaks."

As Ramayana gears up for its epic release, the real first looks remain under wraps—making the wait even more exciting. For now, the truth is clear: those viral Ram-Sita pics? Just clever (but not so clever) edits from a TV classic.

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