The highly anticipated cinematic adaptation of the epic Ramayan, helmed by director Nitesh Tiwari and featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, has hit a major roadblock ahead of its Diwali 2026 release. The Delhi Ramleela Mahasangh has issued a stern warning to the film’s makers, formally demanding a special preview screening before the movie hits global theaters. This development follows a surge in social media chatter surrounding the film’s trailer, which has captured significant attention from both fans and industry insiders.
Arjun Kumar, the President of the Shri Ramleela Mahasangh, has made the organization’s stance clear through both an official letter to the production team and public statements. The group is insisting that a delegation comprising Mahasangh members and representatives from various Hindu organizations be allowed to review the film. Their primary goal is to ensure that the portrayal of the sacred epic avoids any scenes, dialogues, or character interpretations that could potentially hurt religious sentiments or misrepresent the source material.
This demand is largely fueled by the backlash surrounding the 2023 film Adipurush, which faced intense criticism for its creative liberties, specifically the depiction of Lanka as a dark, grim city rather than the traditional ‘Golden Lanka.’ Kumar noted that the Mahasangh has received reports suggesting potential concerns in the upcoming project as well. Specifically, the organization has raised questions regarding the trailer’s visual representation of Lanka and has expressed reservations about whether Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Rama captures the required level of divinity and gravity expected by the audience.
The stakes are high for the production, which also stars Sai Pallavi as Sita and reportedly features Yash in the role of Ravana. The Mahasangh has explicitly warned that if their request for a preview is ignored, or if they find any objectionable content in the final cut, they will organize widespread protests outside cinemas across Delhi and other states. With the film slated for a major release in late 2026, all eyes are now on how the production house responds to these mounting pressures from religious organizations.