Misleading: Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha makers react to viral 'spectacles' image

The makers of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki said a viral image showing a vanar in spectacles is promotional artwork, not a scene from the film. As criticism mounted online, the team and actor Anjali Arora urged audiences to watch the theatrical version before passing judgement.

In Short

• Team asked critics to share theatre screenshots or precise time codes
• They said theatrical footage will be released for direct public comparison
• Director Abhishek Singh said criticism should follow viewing the finished film

The makers of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki have responded to the viral ‘spectacles’ image that has sparked criticism of the film online. The team has claimed that the image, which appears to show a member of the Vanar Sena wearing spectacles, is not a frame from the theatrical film but promotional artwork.

The image has been widely circulated on social media, with posts and memes presenting it as a visual from the film. The makers have now challenged those circulating it to identify where the alleged scene appears in the movie.

“If this visual is actually present in the film, share one genuine screenshot photographed inside a theatre, or give us the exact scene and time code where a vanar is shown wearing spectacles. We will respond publicly. But a promotional image being repeatedly circulated as though it is a scene from the movie is misleading,” the makers said in an exclusive statement to India Today.

They also said they will release footage from the theatrical version alongside some of the viral claims, allowing audiences to compare the images being circulated online with what appears in the finished film.

Director Abhishek Singh added that the makers are not opposed to criticism, but want it to be based on the film audiences have actually watched.

“Criticism is part of filmmaking, and nobody associated with our film expects that every person must have the same opinion. But criticism should be about the film people have actually watched. When promotional artwork, edited images or isolated material begins circulating as proof of something supposedly happening inside the movie, then, as filmmakers, we have a right to place the actual footage before the audience. Our request is very simple: watch the film and then judge us," said the makers.

Meanwhile, actor Anjali Arora, who plays Sita, also addressed the criticism around her casting. She said she was judged before audiences had seen her performance because of her previous work.

“From the day my casting was announced, there were people who had already decided what my Sita would be without seeing even one scene. I always said only one thing — don’t judge Sita through your opinion of Anjali. Watch the character on screen. If you watch the complete film and still feel I didn’t do justice to it, I will respect that opinion. But watch it first.”

Arora also spoke about the audience response inside theatres, which has come as a soothing balm to the team.

“What is making us happy is seeing families coming together, children asking questions about the Ramayana and parents discussing the story with them after the film. That is the audience reaction that matters deeply to us,” she added.

Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha – Shri Ram Ki is currently playing in theatres.

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