Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Mumbai | August 3, 2026: Even before its much-awaited theatrical release, filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari's epic film Ramayana has become the centre of a fresh controversy. According to reports, the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh has demanded that the makers organize a special screening of the film for its representatives before its official release. The organization has warned that if this request is ignored, it, along with several Hindu organizations, will stage protests outside cinema halls across the country.

Shri Ramlila Mahasangh President Arjun Kumar has sent an official letter to the producers of the film requesting an exclusive preview screening for representatives of the organization. The letter reportedly emphasizes that such a screening is necessary to ensure that the film faithfully represents the revered Hindu epic and does not contain any content that could hurt religious sentiments.

The letter also recalls the controversy surrounding the 2023 film Adipurush, starring Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, and Saif Ali Khan. That film faced widespread criticism from audiences, religious groups, and scholars over its depiction of several characters, costumes, visual presentation, and the language used in its dialogues. The controversy eventually overshadowed the film's release and affected its reception at the box office.

The Mahasangh, many followers of Sanatan Dharma and traditional Ramlila artists had objected to several scenes in Adipurush. One of the major points of criticism was the portrayal of Lanka in black instead of the traditionally described golden city. The depiction of Ravana and his army was also widely criticized, with many claiming that it contradicted established religious beliefs and traditional descriptions found in the Ramayana. The organization believes that these creative choices deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees and contributed significantly to the backlash the film received.

Drawing lessons from that experience, the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh has expressed similar concerns regarding Ramayana. In its letter, the organization claims to have received information suggesting that the upcoming film may include certain scenes or dialogues that could offend Hindu religious sentiments. To prevent any controversy after release, it has requested the filmmakers to arrange a special screening before the film reaches theatres. The Mahasangh has urged the makers to provide an opportunity for representatives to identify any objectionable content so that necessary changes can be made before the final release.

The organization has further issued a warning that if the filmmakers refuse to organize the requested preview screening, Shri Ramlila Mahasangh, along with several other Hindu organizations, will launch nationwide protests outside cinema halls showing the film. The warning signals the possibility of heightened tensions if the concerns raised by the organization remain unaddressed.

The controversy comes shortly after the release of the film's first trailer, which generated significant excitement among movie lovers. Ramayana features an impressive ensemble cast including Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh, Arun Govil, and Lara Dutta. The ambitious mythological drama is being produced as a two-part cinematic saga, with the first installment scheduled for release during Diwali this year, while the second part is expected to arrive in theatres next year.

The trailer itself has already sparked debate among sections of viewers. Soon after its release, several social media users questioned the costumes worn by the characters, arguing that the designs appear overly modern and do not accurately reflect the historical and mythological period in which the Ramayana is believed to be set. Some viewers expressed concern that the styling lacks authenticity and may not align with the traditional visual representation associated with the sacred epic.

Despite the growing controversy, the makers of Ramayana have not yet issued an official response to the demands made by the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh or the warning of nationwide protests. With the film being one of the biggest Indian cinematic projects in recent years, all eyes are now on the production team to see whether it agrees to the request for a special screening before its highly anticipated release.