Poonam Pandey dropped from Mandodari’s role in Ramleela, announces Luv Kush Ramlila Committee
Bollywood actress Poonam Pandey won’t be joining the iconic Luv Kush Ramlila at Delhi’s Red Fort this year after all. She was set to play the role of Mandodari, the wife of demon king Raavan, in the popular event that draws huge crowds every year.
The organizers made the call after facing backlash from various groups and institutions. Committee president Arjun Kumar and general secretary Subhash Goyal said Poonam had agreed to take on the part when they first invited her. But once her name went public, complaints poured in, arguing that her involvement might distract from the Ramlila’s main goal: sharing the timeless story of Lord Ram with audiences.
In the end, the committee voted unanimously to recast Mandodari with another performer. They wished Poonam well in her future projects and hoped she’d respect their tough decision.
Just a day earlier, on September 22, Poonam shared an excited video about her Ramleela gig. In it, she said, “At Delhi’s Red Fort, the world-famous Luv Kush Ram Leela, I’m thrilled to step into the role of Mandodari. She’s Raavan’s wife—a key character in the epic tale. I’m so happy for this chance.” She even mentioned her plan to fast for nine days during Navratri to purify her mind and body. “Navratri starts tomorrow, so I’ll fast to prepare and do justice to this beautiful role. Jai Shri Ram,” she added.
The objections didn’t come out of nowhere. Last week, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) spoke out against Poonam playing Mandodari. They pointed to her past controversies, like her 2011 stunt promising to strip if India won the Cricket World Cup, and her recent fake death hoax in 2024. The group worried these could offend Ramleela fans and hurt devotees’ feelings.
This year’s Luv Kush Ramlila kicked off on September 22 at the Red Fort, featuring a star-studded lineup. Arya Babbar takes on Raavan, Kinshuk Vaidya plays Ram, Rini Arya is Sita, and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari steps in as Parashurama. The event continues to celebrate the Ramayana’s messages amid the ongoing Poonam Pandey Ramleela controversy.
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