The popular Luv Kush Ramlila, held at the historic Red Fort grounds in New Delhi, is being presented in a different style this year. Audiences will see a new face in this year’s production, actress Poonam Pandey has been cast as Ravana’s wife Mandodari. However, some political parties have expressed displeasure and protested this selection.
Hindustan Times quoted Committee Chairman Arjun Kumar saying, “When we offered Poonam Pandey the role, she readily agreed. She explained that playing Mandodari was a long-cherished dream of hers, which, thanks to the grace of Lord Shri Ram, is now being fulfilled. Performing on stage in front of thousands of spectators is a demanding task, and she has been practicing intensively to perfect the role.”
Poonam Pandey has previously acted in films like Karma – The Journey and GST: Galti Se Sirf. She has also appeared in CID and the reality show Lock Up.
But not everyone is unanimous about Poonam’s selection. Praveen Shankar Kapoor, head of the Delhi BJP media cell and senior vice president of the Ramlila Committee, wrote a letter to the organizers requesting that someone else be cast in the role. According to a PTI report, Surendra Gupta, the state president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, also objected to Poonam Pandey playing the role of Mandodari.
Praveen Shankar Kapoor said, “Pandey has not only been away from the film industry for a long time, but has also been embroiled in controversies regarding her photos and videos on social media.”
In response, the committee’s president, Arjun Kumar, told PTI, “We do not believe that a woman playing a positive character in Ramlila is objectionable. Every artist should be given the opportunity.”
Like every year, the Luv Kush Ramlila is considered one of Delhi’s most prominent productions. It began on September 22nd and will continue until October 3rd. Poonam Pandey will be seen on stage as Mandodari on September 29th and 30th. More than 500 artists are participating in this production. Actor Arya Babbar is playing the role of Ravana this time, while a special event will be held on Dussehra, October 2nd.
