Mumbai: Social media personality and actress Anjali Arora has addressed the criticism surrounding her casting as Mata Sita in the upcoming mythological film Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha, saying she refuses to feel embarrassed about her journey as a digital creator.
The casting decision attracted considerable attention online, with some social media users questioning whether an actress widely recognised for dance videos and viral reels was the right choice to portray one of the most revered characters in Indian mythology.
Speaking about the backlash, Anjali said she does not believe her earlier work on social media should determine how audiences view her abilities as an actor. She maintained that dancing has always been part of her interests and that there is nothing about her digital-media background that she needs to hide.
The actress also pushed back against the idea that her previous public image should automatically affect her portrayal of Mata Sita. According to Anjali, actors can have personal interests and hobbies while still approaching demanding roles with seriousness and discipline.
‘Judge me after watching the film’
Anjali said the criticism began before audiences had an opportunity to see her performance, making it difficult to understand the extent of the backlash without considering the film itself.
She has urged viewers to wait for the movie’s theatrical release before reaching a conclusion about her casting. For Anjali, the real assessment should come from how convincingly she performs the character rather than from clips, photographs or her earlier social media identity.
She also stressed that taking on Mata Sita was not something she treated casually. The actress said she gave the role her “100%” and approached the character with the level of commitment she believes such a significant portrayal demands.
Feature debut alongside Dev Sharma
Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha is directed by Abhishek Singh and features Dev Sharma as Lord Ram, with Anjali making her feature-film debut as Mata Sita.
The project has already generated discussion online, particularly around its casting and promotional material. While reactions have been divided, the controversy has also placed considerable attention on Anjali ahead of the film’s release.
For the actress, however, the focus remains on the performance she has delivered rather than the identity she built before entering mainstream cinema. She appears determined to let the film ultimately answer the questions being raised about her suitability for the role.
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