'Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha' Producer Claims 'Ramayana' Team is Discouraging Audiences

The release of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha has triggered a fresh controversy, with producer Prakash Mahobiya alleging that a campaign of negative publicity affected the mythological film's reception in theatres. The film, based on the Ramayana, arrived in cinemas on September 25, ahead of Nitesh Tiwari's much-anticipated Ramayana starring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash. According to Mahobiya, criticism surrounding the film's casting and promotional material intensified before its release and contributed to its poor performance at the box office.

In an interview with India Today, Mahobiya alleged that the negative publicity was not organic and claimed that people associated with another Ramayana project were discouraging audiences from watching his film. The producer specifically alleged that the team behind Namit Malhotra's Ramayana was involved in the campaign, though the claim remains an allegation and has not been independently established. Mahobiya said the situation affected the film's prospects at a time when audiences were already discussing multiple screen adaptations of the Hindu epic.

Mahobiya also claimed that the film faced opposition over its casting even before it reached theatres. Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha features a relatively different cast and presentation compared with the larger-scale Ramayana being directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The contrasting approaches to the epic have drawn attention as both projects seek to bring the story and its characters to contemporary audiences. The producer's comments suggest that he believes the pre-release criticism went beyond ordinary audience reactions and had a direct impact on the film's theatrical prospects.

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The controversy gained further attention after the film was met with criticism online and struggled to create a strong impact at the box office following its September 25 release. Mahobiya said the makers are now considering a re-release in an effort to give the film another opportunity to reach audiences. He suggested that the team wants to counter the negative perception that developed around the project and present the film to viewers who may not have watched it during its initial theatrical run.

The producer's allegations come at a time when Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana has generated considerable interest because of its high-profile cast and large-scale production. Ranbir Kapoor is set to play Lord Ram, while Yash is associated with the role of Ravana, with Sai Pallavi and Sunny Deol also part of the cast. The project is being mounted as a two-part adaptation, making it one of the most prominent upcoming Indian films based on the epic. The visibility of the larger production has also created greater attention around other contemporary screen versions of the Ramayana.

For Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha, however, the immediate challenge remains overcoming the negative response that followed its release. Mahobiya's claim that another production team attempted to discourage audiences from watching the film has added a new dimension to the debate, but no evidence establishing such a campaign has been publicly presented in the available information. The film's proposed re-release could give the makers another chance to connect with viewers, although its eventual prospects will depend on audience response and the extent to which the controversy surrounding its theatrical run continues.

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