Not ashamed of dance: Kacha Badam's Anjali Arora reacts to Sita casting backlash
Kacha Badam girl Anjali Arora has addressed the criticism surrounding her casting as Sita in the upcoming film Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha. The actor, who faced trolling after the film’s teaser was released, said she does not feel upset by the backlash and believes public figures have to accept that their work will be judged by audiences. Addressing those who questioned how someone known for dancing on social media could portray Mata Sita, Anjali said dancing is simply her hobby and something she is not ashamed of.
The film, which also stars Dev Sharma as Lord Ram and Rajniesh Duggall as Ravan, sparked a wave of reactions after the teaser was released a few weeks ago. Several social media users questioned Anjali’s casting as Sita, with many associating her with her viral Kacha Badam reel and social media persona.
At the trailer launch of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha on Thursday, the 26-year-old actor addressed the criticism and responded to those who questioned how someone known for dancing on social media could play Sita.
“People are trolling me that I used to dance, so how can I play the role of Mata Sita? Everyone dances; which actor doesn’t dance? I love to dance; it is my hobby. I am not ashamed of it,” Arora said.
Further, she spoke about whether the backlash has affected her in any manner.
“No, I didn’t feel sad about it because we are public figures, and we have given the public the right to judge us. So, it is their wish to judge us positively or negatively. Everyone has the authority to like it or not like it,” she added.
Arora added that her responsibility as an actor is to give her best to every character she takes on, regardless of how audiences may perceive her off-screen.
“We are actors; whatever character is offered to us, we will portray it by giving our 100 percent. Once it comes out in front of the public, it is their decision the way they want to look at it,” she said.
Arora urged audiences to separate her social media persona from the character she portrays in the film. Pointing to her role as Sita, she said, “I have played the role of Sita Maa, and now, after watching the trailer, did you feel that she is the same Anjali whom we see on social media? My only aim is that when the audience watches the movie, they keep my personal life and personality aside.”
The film’s trailer was unveiled today. The two-minute, 43-second video takes viewers through some of the defining moments and emotions of Ramayan, from the bond between Ram and Sita and their journey into vanvas (exile) to Sita Haran, Hanuman’s unwavering bhakti, and the eventual confrontation between dharm and adharm.
While recent big-screen interpretations have often been defined by scale and spectacle, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha takes a more intimate route, drawing its strength from the katha, its music and its emotional core.
Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha also stars Sheel Verma as Lakshman and Nirbhay Wadhwa as Hanuman. The film is scheduled to release in cinemas across India on September 25.- EndsPublished By: Prachi aryaPublished On: Sep 17, 2026 19:13 ISTALSO READ | Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha trailer: Love, devotion and battle of dharm vs adharm
