As Durga Navratri begins tomorrow across India, all eyes are on Delhi’s famous Ramlila at the Ramleela Maidan. The ten-day event will bring the Ramayana to life on stage, with actors playing different roles from the epic. Organised by the Lav Kush Ramleela Committee, the play is considered one of the grandest cultural celebrations of the festival.
However, this year’s show has already run into controversy. The committee has chosen Bollywood actress Poonam Pandey to play the role of Mandodari, Ravana’s wife. Her selection has sparked protests from several Hindu groups, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
The groups argue that giving the part to Pandey hurts religious sentiments. They point to her past controversies on social media, where she has often been in the spotlight for bold photos, videos and posts. Last year, she even faked news of her own death, which attracted widespread criticism. Because of this history, many groups are demanding that she be replaced by another actress.
Despite the backlash, the organisers have stood by their decision. They said there was nothing wrong in casting her and that every actor deserves a fair chance. The committee added that Mandodari’s role is significant, showing qualities of loyalty, dignity and strength, and that Pandey, as a professional actress, is capable of portraying it well.
Meanwhile, other key roles have also been finalised. Actor Arya Babbar will play Ravana, while Malhar Pandya will be seen as Hanuman. The Ramleela is expected to draw large crowds every evening, with much curiosity around whether Pandey will finally take the stage.
For now, the controversy remains. A final decision on her role is likely to be clear by tomorrow, when the festival officially begins.