Mumbai: A leaked scene featuring a confrontation between Sita and Lakshman in Ramayana has sparked debate online, with viewers questioning why the footage appears to be missing from the Indian Hindi version of the film.
Footage of the sequence, reportedly taken from the film’s international Hindi version, has been circulating on social media, prompting Indian viewers to question why it was left out of the domestic theatrical release.
The debate comes amid reports that the Indian Hindi version is nearly 30 minutes longer than the English-language cut released in international markets.
The leaked footage offers a glimpse of an action sequence featuring Sita, Lakshman and Rama, set during Rama’s battle against Khara and Dushana’s army of 14,000 demons.
In the scene, an injured Lakshman is seen fleeing through a rocky canyon with Sita as three fierce, dog-like creatures chase them. As the creatures close in, the two seek refuge in a cave hidden behind a waterfall.
After briefly escaping their pursuers, Lakshman sits down to recover from his injuries while Sita tries to tend to his wounds by pouring water over them.
However, she appears unaware that the creatures have tracked them to the cave.
Their moment of relief is short-lived as the three eventually reach the hiding place and slowly approach the pair, baring their teeth.
As the creatures close in, Sita stands her ground, drawing a dagger and preparing to defend herself. Lakshman then steps in front of her, positioning himself between Sita and the attackers despite his injuries.
When the creatures leap towards him, Lakshman raises his sword to fight back. However, before they can reach him, an arrow strikes them mid-air, sending them plunging over the waterfall.
The scene then cuts to Rama, portrayed by Ranbir Kapoor, who arrives just in time to rescue Sita and Lakshman.
The sequence has drawn attention online, with viewers highlighting Sita’s readiness to defend herself and Lakshman’s determination to protect her despite being injured.
Discussions on X and Reddit have also centred on why the footage was seemingly omitted from the Hindi version screened in Indian theatres.
The Indian Hindi version reportedly has a runtime of approximately 196 minutes, compared with around 166 minutes for the English-language cut.
The shorter international adaptation omits several songs and narrative portions, including parts of the Bharat Milap episode and other sequences featuring Rama’s family.
These edits were reportedly made to make the story more accessible to viewers unfamiliar with the epic.