The makers of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha released the teaser of their upcoming film on August 18, 2026. Within hours, social media exploded with angry reactions. The reason? Anjali Arora, the social media influencer known for the viral “Kacha Badam” dance video, has been cast as Goddess Sita. Many viewers are calling this decision a “cruel joke” on Hindu beliefs.
The film, directed by Abhishek Singh, features Dev Sharma as Lord Ram. It is scheduled to hit theatres on September 25, 2026. But the casting choice has overshadowed everything else about the project.
Teaser Release Sparks Immediate Backlash
The 90-second teaser dropped on Tuesday and quickly crossed over one lakh views. It shows glimpses of Ram and Sita’s wedding, their exile, Sita’s abduction, and Lord Ram preparing to build the Ram Setu. While the teaser aimed to present the emotional side of the epic, viewers focused on one thing: Anjali Arora playing Mata Sita.
Social media users did not hold back. One X user wrote, “Hei bhagwan, Ghor kalyug This Anjali arora playing sita ji role in #ramayana !!!”. Another user tweeted, “Hindus are so tolerable…on what ground this tiktoker is playing maa Sita role….FIR should be filed against everyone involved in this movie”.
Netizens Compare Film to Adipurush
Many online users drew comparisons to Om Raut’s Adipurush, which faced massive trolling in 2023 for its VFX and dialogues. One Reddit user wrote, “Next Adipurush in line,” while another commented, “They have made a joke of Ramayana”. Several people joked that the film would make Ranbir Kapoor and Yash’s upcoming Ramayana look like a masterpiece.
A user on Reddit expressed strong anger: “Anjali Arora as Maa Sita? Seriously? Maa Sita is a deeply revered figure for millions. Casting choices for such roles should reflect dignity and sensitivity, not feel like publicity bait. This casting feels like a cruel joke on people’s beliefs”. Another Reddit user wrote, “My blood boils seriously, isn’t this very offensive, how did the makers do this and she be acting in maa sita role, i don’t usually get angry on films casting nd all, but this is pure mockery of our beliefs. Ban this shit”.
Fans Question the Makers’ Intentions
Several netizens accused the filmmakers of using the religious epic for financial gain. One user wrote, “Kaccha badam pakne baad maa Sita Ka role kar rahi hai” (After Kacha Badam became famous, she is playing Maa Sita’s role). Another user commented, “Yeh kya bawasir bana diya hai” (What nonsense have they made).
Some users also took a sarcastic tone. One tweeted, “Avengers Doomsday is in danger”. Another wrote, “Finally Adipurush 2 is releasing”. The jokes and criticism kept pouring in throughout the day.
Anjali Arora’s Journey from Social Media to Mythology
Anjali Arora first gained fame in 2022 when her dance video on the Bengali song “Kacha Badam” went viral. She later appeared on Kangana Ranaut’s reality show Lock Upp Season 1, where she finished as the second runner-up. Since then, she has featured in several music videos.
Now, nearly four years after her viral moment, she is making her big-screen debut. The role of Sita marks a major shift from her earlier work. But many viewers feel she does not have the experience or the image to play such a revered figure.
Anjali Arora Defends Her Casting
In a previous interview with ETimes in 2024, Anjali Arora said she knew her performance would be compared to Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. She expressed happiness at being compared to a Bollywood actress.
Speaking about the role, she said, “For me, playing Mata Sita has been one of the most emotional and responsible journeys of my life. She represents immense strength, dignity, patience and faith”. She added, “Her love for Shri Ram is profound, but what inspires me equally is her inner courage and the grace with which she faces every trial. I knew from the beginning that this character had to be approached with complete respect and sincerity”.
Dev Sharma Shares His Thoughts on Playing Lord Ram
Dev Sharma, who plays Lord Ram, also spoke about the responsibility of his role. He said, “Playing Shri Ram is not a role one can approach simply as an actor. His name carries the faith and emotions of millions of people, and that brings with it an enormous responsibility”. He added that he tried to approach the character with complete sincerity and devotion.
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Film Details and Release Information
Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha is directed by Abhishek Singh and produced by Prakash Mahobiya, Sanjay Bundela, and Monika Sen under the banner of Mahobiya Film Production. The film also stars Sheel Verma, Rajniesh Duggal, and Nirbhay Wadhwa in important roles. It has been shot in both Hindi and Chhattisgarhi and will release in both languages.
The film is scheduled to release in cinemas on September 25, 2026. It comes ahead of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, which stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, and Yash. That film is being made on a reported budget of ₹4,000 crore and will release in two parts, with the first part arriving on Diwali 2026.
Some Fans Show Support
Despite the heavy criticism, a few fans expressed excitement about Anjali Arora’s casting. Some praised her look in the teaser. However, these voices were far fewer compared to the wave of negative reactions.
The makers have not yet revealed the actors playing Ravana and Hanuman in the film. As the release date approaches, more details about the cast and the film’s scale are expected to emerge.
The backlash against Anjali Arora’s casting as Sita shows how strongly people feel about religious epics. With multiple Ramayana adaptations in production, including the big-budget version starring Ranbir Kapoor, the competition is intense. Whether Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha can win over audiences despite the controversy remains to be seen.
Also Read: Kiara Advani Opens Up About Toxic Role: ‘This One Taught Me to Be Comfortable With the Unfamiliar’
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