One teaser was enough to put Anjali Arora at the centre of a fresh debate over how the Ramayana should be represented on the big screen. The social-media creator and former Lock Upp contestant is playing Mata Sita in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki, a new mythological film directed by Abhishek Singh. Soon after the teaser arrived on August 18, several social-media users criticised the casting and compared the project with Adipurush, the controversial 2023 adaptation of the Ramayana. Others, however, praised Arora’s appearance and said they were interested in seeing how she performs. The reaction has turned what might otherwise have been another mythological-film launch into a wider conversation about casting, public image and the expectations attached to portraying figures revered by millions.

Anjali Arora Draws ‘Next Adipurush’ Comparisons as Sita

Hindustan Times reported that one Reddit user called the casting a “cruel joke on people’s beliefs,” while another wrote, “Next Adipurush in line.” Other comments accused the makers of treating the Ramayana lightly. Those comments represent some of the most critical reactions online, rather than a scientific measure of public opinion. The same report also noted that some of Arora’s supporters liked her Sita look and expressed excitement about the film. That makes “mixed but heavily debated” a more accurate description than saying the entire internet rejected the casting.

The comparison with Adipurush is nevertheless significant because that film also faced intense scrutiny over how familiar Ramayana characters were presented. The cast of Adipurush and its makers became part of a much larger debate in 2023 over dialogue, costumes, visual treatment and characterisation. The new film is now being pulled into that earlier controversy before audiences have seen more than a teaser.

What the Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha Teaser Shows

The new Ramayan film stars Dev Sharma as Shri Ram and Anjali as Mata Sita. India Today reported that the teaser includes glimpses of Ayodhya, the relationship between Ram and Sita and their journey into vanvaas. The film also features Sheel Verma as Lakshman, Nirbhay Wadhwa as Hanuman and Rajniesh Duggal as Ravan. Director Abhishek Singh said the story is being approached through themes of love, faith, sacrifice, duty and the conflict between dharma and adharma.

Arora also addressed the responsibility of the role in the makers’ promotional material. She said playing Mata Sita had been an emotional journey and described the character through qualities including strength, dignity, patience and faith. She added that she had tried to approach the part with respect and sincerity. That is important context because the current draft says there has been no response at all from the people behind the casting. They have not directly answered the backlash, but both the actor and director have publicly explained how they approached the material.

This Casting Controversy Actually Began in 2025

The criticism surrounding Anjali Arora is also not new. Her first look as Sita drew similar reactions in October 2025, when the project was being promoted simply as Shri Ramayan Katha. Navbharat Times reported criticism of her casting at the time, while NDTV’s regional edition carried details of the production. The evidence strongly suggests that was the same film. The 2025 reports named Abhishek Singh as director, Dev Sharma as Ram, Arora as Sita, Rajniesh Duggal as Ravan, Nirbhay Wadhwa as Hanuman and Sheel Verma as Lakshman—the same principal team announced for the 2026 release. Mahobiya Film Production was also involved in both versions. What changed was the release plan. The earlier version was expected to arrive in December 2025. The expanded Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki is now scheduled for September 25, 2026. So rather than describing the earlier controversy as possibly belonging to an unrelated project, it is safer to say the current backlash is a continuation of criticism that began when her first look appeared last year.

Why Adipurush Keeps Entering the Conversation

The comparison is easy to understand, even if it does not tell audiences whether the new film will actually resemble Adipurush. Om Raut’s 2023 film became a flashpoint over its interpretation of characters and dialogue. Hindustan Times specifically cited criticism of its slang-heavy writing and characterisation.

That history means almost any new high-profile Ramayan film is likely to be judged against it, particularly when casting itself becomes controversial. References to the cast of Adipurush therefore function less as a genuine comparison of performances and more as shorthand from users worried that another adaptation may provoke similar arguments. There is not enough material from the new teaser to establish that the two films share the same creative approach.

Another Ramayana Is Coming Six Weeks Later

The scrutiny is also heightened by another major adaptation waiting just behind it. Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part One, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita, is officially scheduled to release worldwide on November 6, 2026. Yash is also among its principal stars. That gives Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki roughly six weeks in cinemas before the much larger production arrives. The proximity almost guarantees comparisons between the two versions, particularly their interpretations of Ram and Sita. But for now, the argument around Anjali Arora remains based largely on casting, public image and a short teaser rather than a completed performance.

What Happens Next

The makers have fixed September 25 as the release date for the Hindi and Chhattisgarhi film. There is no credible report reviewed here confirming legal action against the production over the casting. What is confirmed is that the controversy began well before release, some viewers have invoked Adipurush as a warning, and Arora herself says she approached the role with seriousness and respect. Whether audiences accept that interpretation will ultimately depend on the full film rather than the social-media profile she had before stepping into the role.