Anjali Arora’s Journey to Sita: How the ‘Kaccha Badam’ Star Is Preparing for Her Ramayan Debut

Anjali Arora is stepping into a challenging new chapter with Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki, where she portrays Goddess Sita. From workshops and readings to studying visual references, the actor says she is determined to approach the iconic character with sincerity and respect.

Anjali Arora’s journey from viral social media fame to the lead role of Goddess Sita has taken an unexpected turn. Known widely as the “Kaccha Badam” girl and for her appearance on Lock Upp, Arora is now preparing for her theatrical acting debut with Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki.

Directed by Abhishek Singh, the mythological film features Arora opposite Dev Sharma, who plays Lord Ram. The project has already attracted considerable attention following the release of its poster and teaser, with conversations ranging from Arora’s casting to the film’s visual presentation.

For Arora, however, the role represents far more than a career opportunity. She has described playing Sita as a major responsibility and says she has been working on herself since being finalised for the part.

Anjali Arora begins preparation for Sita

Speaking about her casting, Arora has said that she believes the filmmakers saw something in her that convinced them she could portray the character effectively.

She revealed that she began preparing for the role soon after being finalised. Her preparation has included workshops, readings, watching videos and studying different portrayals and interpretations of Sita.

The actor has also acknowledged that playing Sita comes with considerable expectations. The character occupies a unique place in Indian cultural and literary traditions, and portrayals of her have previously been brought to audiences through television, cinema, theatre and other forms of storytelling.

For someone making her film debut in such a widely recognised role, the expectations are particularly high.

Arora has therefore stressed that she wants to give her best rather than allow the noise surrounding her casting to distract her from the work.

Why the role is a major challenge for Anjali

Arora became a familiar face through short-form social media videos before appearing on Kangana Ranaut’s reality show Lock Upp. Her public image has largely been associated with entertainment, fashion, dance videos and influencer culture.

Sita, by contrast, requires a very different performance approach.

The character demands emotional restraint, dignity, vulnerability and strength. Much of Sita’s story is shaped by difficult circumstances, making the portrayal dependent not only on dialogue but also on expressions, body language and emotional nuance.

That contrast makes Arora’s debut particularly intriguing.

Rather than relying on the image that made her famous online, she now has the opportunity to establish herself as an actor through a role that requires a substantially different screen presence.

From ‘Kaccha Badam’ fame to the big screen

Arora’s rise to popularity was closely linked to the viral Kaccha Badam trend. Her dance video became widely circulated on social media and helped turn her into an internet personality with a substantial following.

Her subsequent appearance on Lock Upp expanded her visibility beyond Instagram and short-form content. The reality show introduced her to a broader television and OTT audience, while her association with fellow contestant Munawar Faruqui became another widely discussed aspect of her time on the programme.

She later appeared in music videos, including Saiyyan Dil Mein Aana Re, continuing to build her entertainment career.

Her transition into films is therefore the next significant step.

Comparisons with other Sita portrayals

Arora’s casting has also generated comparisons with other actresses who have portrayed or are portraying Sita.

One of the most prominent comparisons is with Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Nitesh Tiwari’s much-discussed Ramayana adaptation.

Arora has acknowledged that comparisons are inevitable. Rather than treating them solely as criticism, she has indicated that being compared with an established Bollywood actress would also be a positive sign for her career.

The two projects, however, are separate productions and should be viewed as independent interpretations of the epic.

There is also a long history of Sita portrayals in Indian screen culture. Deepika Chikhalia’s performance in Ramanand Sagar’s television series Ramayan remains particularly memorable for generations of viewers.

That history means every new portrayal inevitably enters an already established cultural conversation.

Online criticism follows the announcement

The announcement of Arora’s casting has not been without controversy.

After promotional material from Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki appeared online, sections of social media questioned whether she was the right choice to portray Sita. Some comments focused on her lack of conventional film experience, while others referenced her established social media persona.

The film’s early visual effects and presentation have also faced criticism from some online users.

At the same time, not every reaction has been negative. Arora has supporters who are interested in seeing whether she can successfully move beyond her influencer image and deliver a serious performance.

The distinction is important because online reactions before a film’s release do not necessarily predict its eventual reception.

Ultimately, audiences will judge the performance after seeing the complete film rather than a short promotional glimpse.

Anjali Arora says trolling will not define her performance

Arora has previously spoken about online criticism and the challenge of being judged for her social media identity.

She has maintained that her online image should not determine how audiences assess her acting abilities. According to her, criticism is something public figures have to learn to handle once they enter the entertainment industry.

That perspective could become particularly important with Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki, given the sensitivity surrounding mythological characters.

Instead of attempting to answer every criticism, Arora appears to be concentrating on preparation and performance.

For a debutant, that may ultimately prove more valuable than engaging with social media debates.

The film’s story and cast

Directed by Abhishek Singh, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki is inspired by the Ramayana and features Dev Sharma as Lord Ram and Anjali Arora as Sita.

The teaser offers glimpses of several familiar episodes from the epic, including the marriage of Ram and Sita, their period of exile, Sita’s abduction and the events leading towards the Ram Setu.

The film has been shot in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi.

The supporting cast includes Sheel Verma, Rajniesh Duggal and Nirbhay Wadhwa, adding further experience to the ensemble.

The movie is produced by Prakash Mahobiya and Sanjay Bundela under Mahobiya Films Production Pvt. Ltd., with A J Film’s Entertainment World presenting the project.

The film is scheduled for a September 25, 2026 theatrical release, according to the information provided by the makers.

A career-defining first step

The biggest question surrounding Anjali Arora’s debut is no longer simply why she was selected for the role. The more relevant question is whether she can make audiences see her as Sita rather than as the social media personality they already know.

That will depend on the finished performance.

Her preparation suggests that she understands the responsibility attached to the character. Workshops, readings and visual research can provide the foundation, but the final test will be her ability to translate that preparation into a convincing screen performance.

For Arora, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki could therefore become a defining moment. If she succeeds, the film may help establish her as an actor capable of taking on substantially different roles. If the performance fails to connect, the intense pre-release scrutiny could become an even bigger obstacle.

For now, the actor says she is focused on doing justice to Sita.