The Shri Ramlila Mahasangh has requested a special pre-release screening of director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, citing concerns over reports of potentially controversial scenes. The organisation says it wants to ensure the portrayal of Lord Ram and other characters respects Hindu beliefs and has warned of protests if its concerns are not addressed. At the time of publication, the filmmakers had not publicly responded to the demand.
Ramayana Makers Face Protest Warning Unless Alleged Controversial Scenes Are Removed
The Shri Ramlila Mahasangh has asked director Nitesh Tiwari and the makers of Ramayana to hold a special screening before the release and has warned of protests across the country if any scenes are found to be hurting Hindu sentiments.
The Ramayana movie controversy has deepened with the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh demanding a special screening of the film before it hits the theatres, citing some alleged scenes that they say could offend Hindu sentiments. The group has said it will protest if its concerns are not addressed.
The warning comes months before the release of Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol and several other big names. The film is slated to release during Diwali 2026, and the second part of the film is slated for Diwali 2027.
Shri Ramlila Mahasangh Demands Advance Screening of Ramayana
The Shri Ramlila Mahasangh has demanded from director Nitesh Tiwari and the producers of the film to arrange a special screening of the film before its release in India and abroad. The organisation says it wants to verify that the portrayal of Lord Ram, other characters of Ramayana and Sanatan Dharma is respectful and authentic.
Arjun Kumar, president of the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh, says the organisation has received information that certain scenes in the film could be controversial. But no specific sequences have been confirmed or identified in the public domain.
In a letter to the filmmakers, Arjun Kumar wrote that the delegation wants to see the film before it is released to the public. He said the objective is to see that there are no dialogues, portrayals or creative depictions which may hurt religious sentiments.
The Mahasangh has also warned that if its demand is rejected and the alleged objectionable material is not removed, thousands of activists along with other Hindu organisations may hold demonstrations outside cinema halls in Delhi and other states.
At the time of publication, neither director Nitesh Tiwari nor the film’s production houses had officially responded to the demands of the Mahasangh.
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Adipurush Referenced as Previous Example
In its communication, Shri Ramlila Mahasangh referred to the 2023 film Adipurush, produced by Bhushan Kumar and starring Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan, as an example of how a film’s reception can be affected by religious controversies.
Arjun Kumar said that many creative decisions of the film Adipurush were heavily opposed by members of the Sanatan community and Ramlila organisations. Issues included the visual representation of Lanka, and the depiction of Ravana and his army.
The Mahasangh said the poor public reception and commercial performance of the film was due to widespread protests. But industry analysts have pointed to many reasons behind Adipurush’s box office performance, including audience reviews and critical reception.
Star-Studded Cast Brings Together Bollywood and South Cinema
Ramayana has one of the biggest ensembles put together for an Indian film. Ranbir Kapoor is playing Lord Ram while Sai Pallavi will be seen as Goddess Sita. Yash is seen in the role of Ravana and Sunny Deol as Hanuman.
Ravi Dubey is Lakshman, Arun Govil is King Dasharatha, Lara Dutta is Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh is Surpanakha, and Vivek Oberoi and Kunal Kapoor are in prominent roles.
Previously, promotional content with the main characters attracted a lot of attention on the Internet. Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, Arun Govil as Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha’s casting choices created a lot of buzz on social media.
Ramayana Production, Music and Release Plans
The film is backed by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios, DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. Academy Award-winning visual effects studio DNEG is working on the VFX for the film, which is also set for an IMAX release.
The musical score being created by A.R. Rahman and Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, who are working together for the first time, also heightens the anticipation for the project.
Media reports said the two-part epic has a production budget of around ₹4,000 crore, making it one of the most expensive films ever produced in Indian cinema. Director Nitesh Tiwari, who directed Dangal, has been working on the project for years now.
The first part has wrapped its principal photography and is in post-production for its Diwali 2026 release, while the second part is slated for Diwali 2027.
The debate over the film continues, but now the focus is on whether the filmmakers will accept the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh’s request for a pre-release screening. We will continue to monitor official statements and verified news regarding the project as they are released.
