‘They were asking people not to watch’: Ramayana film producer alleges negative campaign amid buzz

A film based on the Ramayana has barely found an audience, and its producer now claims it never got a fair shot at the box office.

‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’, which arrived in theatres on September 25, has drawn criticism for its casting, visuals, and promotional material, while its producer, Prakash Mahobiya, has alleged that a sustained negative campaign kept viewers away.

Speaking to India Today, Mahobiya claimed that YouTubers, influencers, and others deliberately circulated negative comments about the film, creating an unfavorable perception before audiences could watch it themselves.

‘It was negative marketing throughout. We never got a chance to reach our audience. The ones who watched our film really enjoyed it. But if they never got to see it, how will they even have an opinion?’ he said.

Mahobiya further alleged that people were being encouraged not to watch the film and that incorrect information about the project was being circulated.

‘From what we have been told, there are other movies on the same subject coming in, the big-budget film. As far as we know, YouTubers, influencers, and others have been given many negative marketing opportunities.

They are spreading wrong information and asking people not to watch our film,’ he alleged.

When asked whether he believed Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra's team, behind the much-anticipated ‘Ramayana’, was responsible for the alleged campaign, Mahobiya stopped short of making a direct accusation. He said he wasn't sure, but claimed his team had been told this.

Directed by Abhishek Singh, ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’ stars Anjali Arora, Dev Sharma and Rajneish Duggal in key roles. The film came under scrutiny even before its release, particularly over Arora's casting as Sita and criticism of its VFX.

The criticism intensified after the film reached theatres. One detail that drew online attention was a poster depicting a member of the Vanar Sena wearing spectacles.

The film's box-office performance remained subdued, with ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’ collecting only ₹46 lakh worldwide, according to Sacnilk.

Mahobiya said the makers are considering a re-release, though they haven't disclosed further details.

The film's release also comes ahead of Nitesh Tiwari's much larger-scale ‘Ramayana’, a two-part epic backed by Namit Malhotra and Yash.

The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, with Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh and others in key roles.

Mounted on a reported budget of ₹4,000 crore, ‘Ramayana Part One’ is scheduled for release during Diwali 2026, followed by the second instalment during Diwali 2027.