Anjali Arora’s casting as Sita in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha has triggered a heated debate online, with social media users questioning the choice of actor as well as the film’s visual effects and presentation. Directed by Abhishek Singh, the mythological drama is scheduled to release in theatres in September.
Anjali Arora is heading into a very different phase of her career with Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha, in which she plays the revered character of Sita. The film’s promotional material has now reached audiences, and the casting has become one of the most discussed aspects of the project.
Arora, who first gained widespread attention through the viral Kacha Badam trend before appearing on the reality show Lock Upp, has taken on a role that carries considerable cultural and emotional significance. Her transition from social media personality and entertainment figure to the lead of a Ramayana-based film has naturally attracted considerable scrutiny.
The response to the trailer and promotional visuals has been mixed, with a section of social media users expressing reservations about the casting. Others have focused on the film’s visual effects, background music and overall presentation.
Anjali Arora’s Sita role becomes a talking point
The trailer reportedly features several major episodes associated with the Ramayana, including the marriage of Ram and Sita, their period of exile, Sita’s abduction and the events leading towards the construction of the Ram Setu.
Anjali Arora appears as Sita opposite Dev Sharma, who plays Lord Ram. The central pairing forms the emotional foundation of the film, with the promotional material highlighting the relationship between the two characters.
However, the casting has prompted strong reactions from some viewers. A section of users questioned whether Arora was the right choice for Sita, while others criticised the filmmakers for selecting a performer primarily known for her social media presence for such a culturally significant character.
Some comments went beyond ordinary criticism, with users calling for action against the filmmakers. Others compared the early visuals with Adipurush, the 2023 Ramayana-inspired film that itself became the subject of extensive public debate over its visual treatment.
Such reactions remain social-media opinions rather than an assessment of the film as a whole. The movie has yet to reach theatres, meaning audiences have not seen the complete performance, screenplay or context in which the characters are presented.
VFX and presentation also face criticism
Casting is not the only area attracting attention.
Several viewers have criticised the visual effects shown in the trailer, describing them as underwhelming and questioning the overall technical execution. Some social-media posts also took issue with the background score and the film’s visual interpretation of the epic.
The criticism is particularly notable because contemporary mythological films are often judged against increasingly ambitious standards for production design, computer-generated imagery and large-scale spectacle.
For Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha, the challenge will therefore be twofold: establishing credibility for its casting choices while also convincing viewers that its visual language is appropriate for a story as familiar and revered as the Ramayana.
A significant career move for Anjali Arora
For Arora, the film represents a major departure from the work that originally made her famous.
She became a widely recognised internet personality after her dance videos associated with the Kacha Badam phenomenon went viral. Her subsequent participation in Kangana Ranaut-hosted Lock Upp further increased her visibility, while appearances in music videos helped her maintain a presence in the entertainment space.
Playing Sita, however, places her in a substantially different position as a performer.
The role requires her to move beyond the image associated with social media and reality television and establish herself through a dramatic performance. Arora has previously said that she has been preparing for the part through readings, workshops and by studying portrayals of the character.
In earlier comments about the casting, she acknowledged the responsibility attached to playing Sita and said she wanted to give her best to the role. She has also indicated that she understands comparisons with other actresses who have portrayed or are portraying Sita on screen.
The film arrives amid renewed interest in the Ramayana
Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha is arriving at a time when the Ramayana is once again receiving significant attention in mainstream Indian cinema.
Nitesh Tiwari’s much-anticipated Ramayana, featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita, has generated substantial interest and is being mounted on a much larger reported scale. That project has also contributed to heightened public discussion around cinematic interpretations of the epic.
As a result, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha will inevitably be viewed within a broader conversation about how filmmakers approach the Ramayana for contemporary audiences.
The two projects are distinct productions, and their respective casts, creative approaches and production scales should not automatically be treated as comparable. Nevertheless, the proximity of their releases means audiences are likely to discuss the portrayals of Ram and Sita side by side.
Who is in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha?
Directed by Abhishek Singh, the film stars Dev Sharma as Lord Ram and Anjali Arora as Sita. The supporting cast includes Sheel Verma, Rajniesh Duggal and Nirbhay Wadhwa, among others.
The film has been presented as a retelling of the Ramayana, with the trailer touching upon several familiar chapters of the epic.
The makers are expected to rely heavily on the theatrical release to establish whether their interpretation can move beyond the initial social-media debate.
Online criticism may not tell the full story
The strong response to the trailer demonstrates the level of attention surrounding the project, but online reactions should be viewed as audience sentiment rather than a substitute for a complete review.
A trailer offers only a limited portion of a film. Performance, dialogue, characterisation, screenplay, music, cinematography and the overall treatment of the story can only be assessed after audiences have access to the finished work.
For Anjali Arora, the stakes are particularly high. A successful performance could help her establish a new identity as an actor, while the intense scrutiny surrounding her casting means her portrayal will receive considerable attention from the moment the film opens.
Ultimately, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha will have to make its case on screen.
With Anjali Arora as Sita and Dev Sharma as Ram, the film is preparing for a theatrical release amid an already intense conversation around cinematic adaptations of the Ramayana. Whether the controversy surrounding its casting and visuals translates into audience interest at the box office remains to be seen.
