Anjali Arora Cast as Sita in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha: Casting Sparks Debate

The casting of social media influencer Anjali Arora as Maa Sita in the upcoming project Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha has ignited a widespread conversation across India, highlighting the tension between modern influencer culture and the traditional expectations associated with mythological roles. The trailer for the production was officially released on September 17, 2026, introducing the lead pair to the public.

The Casting of Anjali Arora and Dev Sharma

Anjali Arora, who rose to national prominence as the "Kachha Badam girl" through viral short-form videos, takes on the pivotal role of Sita. Joining her is Dev Sharma, who portrays Lord Ram. Sharma's journey to this role has been a long one; he revealed that he had previously been offered roles in other high-profile productions, including Adipurush and Ramayana, but was rejected from those projects [2].

Addressing the Controversy and Trolling

The announcement has not been without friction. Arora has faced significant trolling from audiences who question the suitability of a viral reel creator portraying a revered deity. Addressing these criticisms, Arora stated that she is not ashamed of her past and argued that her viral trends do not define her entire identity. She questioned whether she would be judged as harshly if she had come from a traditional film background [3].

Why Anjali Arora was Chosen

When questioned about her selection for the role, Arora shared that she initially doubted her own suitability. However, the director's vision was the deciding factor. According to Arora, the director chose her because he saw a specific quality in her that aligned with the character: "your inside me I see that innocence, which was in Maa Sita" [1].

Production Timeline and Release

Following the trailer launch on September 17, 2026, the project is moving quickly toward its public debut. Based on reports from September 2026, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha is scheduled for release on September 25, 2026 [3].