Prakash Mahobiya alleges influencers were used to steer audiences away, but stops short of naming the big-budget Ramayana team
Mumbai: The producer of mythological drama Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha says a coordinated online campaign sank his film, which released on September 25 and collected only ₹46 lakh worldwide, according to Sacnilk.
In an interview with India Today, Prakash Mahobiya alleged that YouTubers and influencers had been given material to spread misinformation and discourage people from watching the film. He said the film never got a fair chance to reach its audience, and that those who did see it enjoyed it.
Mahobiya linked the alleged campaign to “other movies on the same subject,” including a big-budget production. But when asked directly whether he was accusing Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana team, he said he was not certain and was only repeating what he had been told. He added that the makers plan to re-release the film.
Directed by Abhishek Singh and starring Anjali Arora, Dev Sharma and Rajneish Duggal, the film drew criticism well before release. Arora’s casting as Sita and the visual effects both attracted backlash, and a poster showing a Vanar Sena member wearing spectacles was widely mocked online.
Tiwari’s two-part Ramayana, reportedly made on a budget of ₹4,000 crore, stars Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Part one releases on Diwali 2026 and part two on Diwali 2027.
The Ramayana team has not publicly responded to the allegations.
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