Following protests from political and religious organizations, Poonam Pandey was cast as Mandodari in Delhi’s Luv Kush Ramlila.
The organizers of the Luv Kush Ramlila in Delhi’s Red Fort stated on Tuesday that Poonam Pandey would no longer be playing the part of Mandodari. The ruling follows criticism of her depiction of the mythological figure from a number of social, religious, and political groups.
“Poonam Pandey had originally agreed to portray Mandodari at the committee’s invitation,” said General Secretary Subhash Goyal and Committee President Arjun Kumar. However, a number of organizations and parties objected once her name was made public, which the committee believes could compromise the Ramlila’s primary goal of bringing the message of Lord Shri Ram to the masses.
Bollywood actors have historically been chosen for lead roles by the Luv Kush Ramlila Committee. Pandey, who has experience in Punjabi and Hindi cinema, had applied for the position herself.
Poonam Pandey removed from Mandodari role amid BJP and VHP protests.
Pandey previously expressed her excitement on Instagram, stating that she was thrilled to be given the chance to portray Ravana’s wife, Mandodari. She added that in order to emotionally and spiritually get ready for the part, she will maintain a Navratri fast. “Dilli ke Red Fort mein jo world-famous Lav Kush Ramlila ka play hota hai, usme mujhe, Mandodari, ek jo bahot hi important character hai, jo Raavan ki patni thi, unka kirdaar nibhane ka afsar mila hai,” she remarked. Zyada khush hoon main bahot hai. Important character hai, bahhot hi.
When the BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) objected to Pandey’s involvement, the matter grew more heated. Pradeep Shankar Kapoor, the head of the Delhi BJP media cell, asked the organizers to think twice, pointing to her contentious background and public persona, which included her 2024 fake death announcement and her 2011 vow to strip if India won the ODI World Cup. She claimed that such actions could offend devotees.
The VHP believes that casting actors for performances based on the Ramayana should take into account both cultural sensitivity and performing prowess. He maintained that Pandey’s contentious past is inappropriate for such a moral and traditional figure and that the role embodies these ideals. Mandodari’s persona stands for decency, self-respect, moderation, and the ideal of a loyal wife. As a result, the choice of the artist for this position ought to be in line with these principles,” the letter to the organizers stated, urging them to change their mind.
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The letter further said that casting choices should respect devotees’ faith and that Ramlila is a cultural and ethical institution rather than just a kind of entertainment. “Our goal is to protect the cultural sanctity of public events related to holy texts like the Ramayana and maintain devotees’ faith, not to personally oppose any artist,” stated Surendra Gupta, secretary of the Indraprastha VHP.
Arya Babbar will play Ravan in this year’s Lav Kush Ramlila, which starts at Red Fort on September 22. Kinshuk Vaidya will play Ram, Rini Arya will play Sita, and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari will play Parashurama.