Anjali Arora is preparing to enter Bollywood with a role that comes with enormous expectations. The social-media personality will portray Sita in Abhishek Singh’s Shri Ramayan Katha, a project inspired by the Ramayana. With Nitesh Tiwari’s much-anticipated Ramayan, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi as Ram and Sita, also generating considerable attention, comparisons between the two portrayals are inevitable.
Rather than being concerned about the comparison, however, Anjali says she would welcome it.
In a recent conversation with ETimes, the actor spoke about being selected for the role, her preparation for portraying Sita and the attention surrounding her casting. She also addressed the possibility of being compared with Sai Pallavi, who is playing Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation.
Anjali Arora says she feels fortunate to play Sita
For Anjali, being offered the role of Sita is a significant moment in her transition from social-media personality to mainstream actor.
She revealed that the director had told her there were several other actors in consideration before the filmmakers eventually selected her.
The actor said she believes the makers saw qualities in her that convinced them she could handle the character.
“I believe they saw something in me that convinced them I could do justice to the character,” Anjali told ETimes.
She also revealed that she was finalised for the part only recently and has already begun preparing for the demanding role.
“I was finalized last month, and since then, I have been watching videos, doing readings, and attending workshops. I will give my best to do justice to the character,” she said.
Her preparation includes studying visual material, attending workshops and undertaking readings to understand the character more closely.
Anjali is aware that comparisons with Sai Pallavi are inevitable
The simultaneous development of two Ramayana-inspired films has created an unusual situation for Anjali.
While Shri Ramayan Katha will feature her as Sita, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan has Sai Pallavi in the same iconic role opposite Ranbir Kapoor’s Ram.
Given the cultural significance of Sita and the scale of both projects, comparisons between the two actresses are likely to become part of the conversation surrounding their respective films.
Anjali, however, does not appear particularly uncomfortable with the prospect.
“If I am compared to a Bollywood actress, I will be happy,” she said.
Her response reflects a willingness to see comparisons as part of the process of establishing herself in Hindi cinema rather than something she needs to avoid.
At the same time, the two films are separate productions and may ultimately approach the epic and its characters through different creative interpretations.
From viral videos to a major mythological character
Anjali’s path to a leading film role has been markedly different from that of actors who enter the industry through traditional acting routes.
She initially gained widespread recognition on social media through viral dance videos, particularly following the popularity of the “Kacha Badam” trend.
Her visibility grew further after she participated in Lock Upp, the reality show hosted by Kangana Ranaut.
The show introduced her to an even wider television and streaming audience, while her growing digital following established her as a prominent social-media personality.
Now, Shri Ramayan Katha will give her an opportunity to be assessed in a completely different context.
Playing Sita means that her performance will be judged within the framework of a full-length cinematic narrative, rather than short-form social-media content or reality television.
Anjali says her social-media image will not define her performance
The casting has also attracted criticism online, with some users questioning whether Anjali is suited to portray Sita.
The actor says she cannot control how people perceive her, but she can control the effort she puts into the role.
She has acknowledged that social-media personalities are frequently subjected to trolling and criticism, particularly when they enter new areas of entertainment.
For Anjali, the important distinction is between her online persona and her work as an actor.
She has maintained that her social-media image does not determine how she approaches a character and will not influence her performance as Sita.
Her stated focus is on committing herself fully to the part and allowing the finished performance to speak for itself.
Why the Sita role is a major responsibility
Sita is one of the most recognised characters in Indian epic storytelling, and her portrayal carries cultural as well as cinematic expectations.
Unlike a fictional contemporary character, Sita is already familiar to audiences through centuries of literary, religious and artistic interpretations.
That creates a different challenge for an actor.
Anjali has acknowledged that she understands the responsibility attached to the role and is taking steps to prepare herself accordingly.
Workshops can help her develop the performance from an acting perspective, while readings and visual research can provide greater familiarity with the character’s circumstances and narrative.
Ultimately, the interpretation will depend on the film’s screenplay, direction and Anjali’s performance.
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan has a different ensemble
The other major Ramayana adaptation currently attracting attention is Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan.
Ranbir Kapoor is set to play Lord Ram, while Sai Pallavi has been associated with the role of Sita.
Yash has been widely reported to be playing Ravana, while Sunny Deol has reportedly been linked to the role of Hanuman.
Other reported casting developments have included Bobby Deol as Kumbhakarna and Vijay Sethupathi as Vibhishana.
Amitabh Bachchan has also been reported to be associated with the role of King Dashrath.
However, not every reported casting detail has received an official confirmation from the filmmakers. Those reports should therefore be treated separately from formally announced information.
The scale of the project has nevertheless made its casting one of the most discussed aspects of the upcoming adaptation.
Two Sitas, two cinematic interpretations
The existence of two major Ramayana-inspired projects means audiences may eventually have an opportunity to see different interpretations of Sita.
Sai Pallavi brings an established acting career and extensive experience in multiple Indian-language film industries to Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan.
Anjali, on the other hand, is approaching the character at the beginning of her acting journey.
That contrast makes the comparison particularly interesting.
Rather than assuming one performance will be superior to the other, audiences will ultimately have to assess how each film constructs its version of Sita and how the respective actresses respond to those interpretations.
Anjali’s own reaction suggests that she sees the comparison as a sign that she has entered the conversation surrounding mainstream Hindi cinema.
A defining moment for Anjali Arora
For Anjali, Shri Ramayan Katha could become the most important professional opportunity of her career so far.
Her existing popularity provides an audience, but the film will require her to demonstrate that she can carry a demanding dramatic character.
The decision to begin workshops and readings soon after being finalised indicates that she is taking the transition seriously.
Whether the role changes public perceptions of her remains to be seen.
For now, Anjali is concentrating on preparing for Sita and has made it clear that she intends to approach the role with commitment.
Her response to the comparisons with Sai Pallavi is equally telling: she would rather embrace the conversation than be intimidated by it.
If Shri Ramayan Katha succeeds in giving her room to establish a distinct interpretation of Sita, the film could mark a significant turning point in her journey from internet fame to acting.
