Anjali Arora has finally addressed the criticism surrounding her casting as Mata Sita in the upcoming mythological film Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha. The actor, who first became widely known through her viral “Kacha Badam” dance reel and later appeared on Lock Upp, has faced criticism on social media since the film’s teaser was released.
At the trailer launch of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha on Thursday, Anjali spoke about the reactions to her casting and said she was not personally upset by the trolling. She also asked audiences to distinguish between the person they see on social media and the character she portrays in the film.
Anjali Arora responds to criticism over Sita role
The casting of Anjali Arora as Sita generated discussion online after the first glimpse of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha was released. Some social media users questioned whether her public image was suitable for a role associated with the revered character of Sita.
Speaking at the trailer launch, Anjali said that she understands that public figures are subject to public opinion. She explained that she did not feel sad about the criticism because audiences have the right to decide whether they like or dislike an actor's work.
She further said that actors are expected to give their best to whatever character they are offered, while the audience ultimately decides how it receives the performance.
‘I’m not ashamed of dancing’
A significant part of the criticism directed at Anjali has been connected to her earlier viral dance content, particularly the reel that helped her gain popularity on social media.
Addressing those comments, Anjali said she does not understand why her old dance video continues to be used to judge her ability to play Sita. She pointed out that dancing is her hobby and said she has no reason to be ashamed of it.
She also explained that the “Kacha Badam” reel was something she made while following a social-media trend. Although the video played a major role in making her recognisable to audiences, she stressed that it does not represent her entire life or professional identity.
Anjali asks viewers to separate her personal life from the character
Anjali's main request to viewers was that they should watch the film without allowing her social-media identity to influence their perception of the character.
She asked whether, after watching the trailer, audiences felt that the Sita shown on screen was the same Anjali they normally see on social media. According to her, the distinction between an actor's personal personality and an on-screen role is important.
Her comments come at a time when social-media personalities increasingly move into acting, often carrying an existing public image into their film projects. In Anjali's case, her viral dance content has remained closely associated with her name even as she has taken on different entertainment projects.
What is Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha about?
Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha is a new Hindi mythological film based on the Ramayana. It has been directed by Abhishek Singh and features Dev Sharma as Lord Ram and Anjali Arora as Sita.
The cast also includes Rajniesh Duggal as Ravan, Sheel Verma as Lakshman and Nirbhay Wadhwa as Hanuman. The film's trailer takes audiences through several major portions of the epic, including Ram and Sita's relationship, their exile, Sita's abduction and the events leading towards the confrontation with Ravan.
The movie is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on September 25, 2026.
Trailer brings fresh attention to the film
The release of the theatrical trailer has brought renewed attention to the project after the debate around Anjali's casting.
The trailer showcases the central characters and several important moments from the Ramayana. While the film's subject has attracted interest, reactions to the trailer on social media have been mixed, with viewers discussing everything from the casting to the visual effects and overall presentation.
The response has also placed the film in the larger conversation around upcoming cinematic adaptations of the Ramayana. Nitesh Tiwari's much-anticipated Ramayana, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, is another major film based on the epic that is scheduled to arrive later.
Anjali's journey from viral fame to acting
Anjali Arora first became a familiar face among social-media audiences after her dance reel on the “Kacha Badam” trend went viral. She subsequently expanded her presence in entertainment and appeared in Kangana Ranaut-hosted reality show Lock Upp.
Her casting as Sita marks another significant step in her acting journey. The role is also considerably different from the short-form social-media content with which many viewers first became familiar.
That contrast is at the heart of Anjali's response to the current criticism. She wants audiences to evaluate her performance in the context of the character rather than solely through her previous internet presence.
Social media criticism continues to fuel the debate
The debate around Anjali's casting began after the teaser was released and intensified with the trailer launch. Some users questioned the casting, while others focused on the film's visual presentation. These reactions have remained part of the online discussion surrounding the movie.
Anjali, however, has maintained that she accepts the audience's right to have an opinion. Her response suggests that she is prepared for both positive and negative reactions once the film reaches theatres.
For now, the actor's message is straightforward: her social-media identity and her portrayal of Sita should be viewed separately.
Film set for September 25 release
With Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha scheduled to release on September 25, the audience will soon be able to see Anjali Arora's complete performance as Sita.
The film arrives at a time when mythological cinema is receiving renewed attention, with multiple projects based on the Ramayana being discussed by audiences.
Whether Anjali's performance changes the conversation surrounding her casting will ultimately depend on the theatrical response to the film. For the actor herself, the focus remains on portraying the character with sincerity and asking audiences to judge that performance independently of her past social-media image.
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