Cinema VinesIn the run‑up to the theatrical launch of Nitesh Tiwari’s mythological drama Ramayana, the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh has stepped into the spotlight, demanding a special preview screening of the film. President Arjun Kumar has written to the filmmakers, urging them to review the movie before it reaches the public to ensure that the story remains true to the revered epic and does not offend Hindu religious sentiments in India and abroad.
During a press conference, Kumar explained that the Mahasangh is supportive of the film’s release but wants to safeguard the sanctity of the original narrative. He said the group would even arrange free showings for members of the Ramleela Committee, but that the trailer had raised concerns. “The trailer caused us some distress as it lacked the appropriate sentiment that should have been present,” he told PTI. “The costumes appeared rather odd, and this prompted us to urge the producers and directors to screen the film for the Ramleela Committee before its release.”
Drawing a parallel with the 2023 release Adipurush, Kumar warned that if the new film is released without a pre‑screening and ends up hurting religious feelings, the Mahasangh will refuse to allow it to run. He cited the backlash against Adipurush, where critics pointed out that Lanka was rendered in black instead of the traditionally described golden kingdom, among other creative liberties that many felt strayed from the epic’s text. “Inaccuracies in the adaptation led to widespread criticism and hurt the film’s box‑office performance,” he added.
Although the Mahasangh has not disclosed specific scenes that might be objectionable, it claims to have received information suggesting that certain portions of Ramayana could offend Hindus worldwide. “In light of this, the organisation has requested a special preview screening to ensure that any potentially objectionable scenes or dialogues are identified and removed prior to release,” Kumar said.
The request comes at a time when the film’s makers are preparing for a major release, and the Mahasangh’s stance could influence how the movie is received by audiences and regulators. The organization’s warning underscores the sensitive nature of adapting ancient epics for contemporary cinema and highlights the growing scrutiny over how religious narratives are portrayed on screen.
