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Sita Ramam () is a 2022 Indian Telugu language-language Historical drama romantic drama film directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Raj Kumar Kandamudi. Produced by C. Aswini Dutt under the banners of Vyjayanthi Movies and Swapna Cinema, the film stars Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur in the titular roles, alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Sumanth in supporting roles.
Set in 1964, the narrative follows Lieutenant Ram, an orphaned Indian army officer posted at the Kashmir border, who begins receiving anonymous letters from a woman named Sita Mahalakshmi. Determined to uncover her identity, Ram embarks on a journey that transforms into a tale of romance and sacrifice. Principal photography commenced in April 2021 and concluded in April 2022, with filming across Hyderabad, Kashmir, and Russia. Cinematography was handled by P. S. Vinod and Shreyaas Krishna, while the score and soundtrack were composed by Vishal Chandrashekhar with lyrics by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, Anantha Sriram, and others.
Sita Ramam released theatrically on 5 August 2022 to widespread critical acclaim. Reviewers praised Raghavapudi’s direction, the screenplay, music, production design, and particularly the performances of Salmaan and Thakur. The film emerged as a major commercial success, grossing 98.1 crore worldwide, including more than US$2 million from overseas markets, and ranking as the ninth highest-grossing Telugu film of 2022.
At award ceremonies, Sita Ramam received multiple honors, including the Telangana Gaddar Film Award for Best Feature Film. At the 68th Filmfare Awards South, the film led the ceremony with 13 nominations, and won five awards, including Best Actress – Telugu (Thakur), Best Film Critics – Telugu (Raghavapudi), and Best Actor Critics' – Telugu (Salmaan).
Intrigued, Ram sets out to find her. On a train to Hyderabad he meets the writer, later identified as Princess Noor Jahan, who had used a pseudonym. They grow close despite her family arranging her marriage to the Prince of Oman. When their relationship becomes public, Noor admits her love for Ram and renounces her royal privileges.
Ram is soon assigned to a covert operation in Pakistan to eliminate Ansari. After completing the mission, he is captured along with fellow officer Vishnu Sharma. Pakistani General Abu Tariq arranges the release of only one prisoner, and Ram persuades Vishnu to return to India. Subsequent attacks on Indian bases lead to Ram being accused of treason, and he is later executed in prison for refusing to betray his country.
In 1985, Afreen, a Pakistani student in London, learns through her grandfather Tariq’s will that she must deliver Ram’s final letter to Sita in Hyderabad to claim her inheritance. Tracing their story with the help of her Indian classmate Balaji, she discovers that she is Waheeda, the sister of one of Ansari’s recruits whom Ram had once tried to protect. The letter reveals that Ram knew of Sita’s true identity and remained loyal to India until his death.
Afreen delivers the letter to Sita, who has lived with Ram’s memory ever since. The revelation clears his name, and Sita receives a posthumous honor for his service. Afreen reconciles with her past and works to restore Ram’s reputation.
The film was initially banned in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates following objections that it offended religious sentiments. The ban in the United Arab Emirates was subsequently lifted, and the film opened there on 11 August 2022. A pre-release promotional event was held in Hyderabad on 3 August 2022, attended by actor Prabhas. Additional promotional activities were organized in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Kochi.
Manigandan K. R. of IANS, in a review carried by Daijiworld, rated the film 4 out of 5 stars and described Sita Ramam as "a brilliantly-crafted, beautiful love story that leaves you completely overwhelmed by the time you walk out of the theatre." and praised the music, cinematography, direction of Hanu Raghavapudi (magnificent) and the acting of the leads Dulquer (fantastic performance) and Mrunal (looks the part and plays it to perfection) . Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, describing it as “a story that’s moving and a film that’s visually aesthetic and pleasing.” Jayadeep Jayesh of Deccan Herald also gave it 3.5 stars, noting similarities to Veer-Zaara (2004) while commending its distinct identity. Idlebrain.com’s Jeevi rated the film 3 out of 5, calling it “a classy tale of eternal love,” while Priyanka Sundar of Firstpost assigned the same rating, highlighting it as “a visually beautiful tale of love and loss.”
Mixed reviews noted strengths in the film’s visual design and performances but expressed reservations about writing and execution. Soundarya Athimuthu of The Quint rated it 2.5 out of 5, describing it as “a poignant love story laced with socio-political messaging.” Janani K of India Today and Balakrishna Ganeshan of The News Minute also rated it 2.5, with Ganeshan criticizing the screenplay as uneven, though acknowledging its mythological parallels. Manoj Kumar R. of The Indian Express gave it 2 stars, observing that the film “leverages the good looks of its actors to make it tolerable.” Gautama Bhaskaran of News18 rated it 1.5 stars, calling it “a puffed-up plot, peppered with coincidences.”
Other critics emphasized the film’s emotional resonance. Writing for Hindustan Times, Haricharan Pudipeddi described it as “a tale of love that also takes a mature and sensitive take on the conflict between India and Pakistan.” Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote that the film “brims with earnestness and is helped by charming performances from Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur.” Manorama News’ Princy Alexander referred to it as “a heartfelt romantic tale in a strife-torn setting,” while 123Telugu called it “a beautiful love story” with “scintillating performances” and “poetic writing.”
The film went on to gross around ₹50 crore worldwide within ten days of release, and it was widely reported as a commercial success. The Hindi-dubbed version, released a month later on 2 September 2022, earned ₹8.19 crore domestically.
| Best Actor | Dulquer Salmaan | |
| Best Actress | Mrunal Thakur | |
| Best Director – Telugu | Hanu Raghavapudi | |
| Best Cinematographer – Telugu | P. S. Vinod | |
| Best Actor – Telugu | Dulquer Salmaan | |
| Best Actress – Telugu | Mrunal Thakur | |
| Best Actress Critics' – Telugu | ||
| Best Female Debut – Telugu | ||
| Best Supporting Actor – Telugu | Sumanth | |
| Best Music Director – Telugu | Vishal Chandrashekhar | |
| Best Lyricist – Telugu | Krishnakanth ("Inthandham") | |
| Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu | S. P. Charan ("Oh Sita Hey Rama") | |
| Best Director – Telugu | Hanu Raghavapudi | |
| Best Actor – Telugu | Dulquer Salmaan | |
| Best Actress – Telugu | Mrunal Thakur | |
| Best Supporting Actor – Telugu | Sumanth | |
| Best Supporting Actress – Telugu | Rashmika Mandanna | |
| Best Music Director – Telugu | Vishal Chandrashekhar | |
| Best Lyricist – Telugu | Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry ("Kaanunna Kalyanam") | |
| Krishnakanth ("Inthandham") | ||
| Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu | S. P. Charan ("Inthandham") | |
| Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu | Chinmayi Sripaada ("Oh Prema") | |
| Best Film Critics – Telugu | Hanu Raghavapudi | |
| Best Actor Critics' – Telugu | Dulquer Salmaan |
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