The Shri Ramlila Mahasangh has requested a pre-release screening of the upcoming film “Ramayana” starring Ranbir Kapoor [1].
The request highlights the ongoing tension between cinematic creative liberty and the preservation of religious narratives in India. Because the film depicts one of the most revered epics in Hinduism, any perceived deviation from traditional texts can trigger widespread public outcry and legal challenges.
The organization said that the preview is necessary to ensure the movie does not contain inaccurate depictions that could hurt religious sentiments [2]. This move is a direct response to the backlash faced by the film “Adipurush,” which encountered significant controversy over its portrayal of characters and dialogue [3].
By requesting a screening before the worldwide release, the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh aims to act as a corrective body to prevent a similar "mess" from occurring with the new production [2]. The group intends to verify that the depiction of the epic remains faithful to the source material, a measure they believe will protect both the faith of devotees and the commercial success of the film [1].
The filmmakers have not yet publicly responded to the request for a private screening [3]. The organization remains focused on preventing the type of social unrest that often follows the release of high-profile religious adaptations in the region [2].
“The organization seeks a pre-release screening to prevent religious inaccuracies.”
This request reflects a growing trend of preemptive censorship and community oversight in the Indian film industry. Following the commercial and critical fallout of 'Adipurush,' filmmakers are facing increased pressure from religious organizations to validate their creative choices before public release to avoid costly edits or bans.
