In a stark theatrical verdict for mythological adaptations, internet personality Anjali Arora’s big-screen venture Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha has recorded an exceptionally weak opening at the domestic box office on Friday, September 25, 2026. Clashing head-on with Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia’s folk thriller The Vvaan: Force of the Forest, the multi-lingual religious drama struggled to attract theatrical footfalls or generate positive audience engagement. Facing heavy scrutiny on social media platforms over its casting and digital effects, the film barely made an impression at ticket counters, crumbling under the weight of severe screen competition and lukewarm advance bookings.
Opening Day Crash: Sacnilk Data Records Modest ₹14-Lakh Net Across 521 Shows
According to initial box office tracking figures compiled by industry monitor Sacnilk, the Abhishek Singh-directed mythological epic experienced a quiet opening across national chains and single screens:
Domestic Day 1 Net Collection: Released simultaneously in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi regional markets, the film netted just ₹14 lakh (₹1.4 million) on its opening day, falling well short of the ₹1-crore threshold.
Limited Screen Allocations: The production secured a modest showcase of merely 521 shows nationwide, facing sparse morning occupancy and multiple cancelled afternoon screenings in non-metro circuits.
Stark Contrast with The Vvaan: While The Vvaan leveraged strong festival demand to secure an opening day haul of approximately ₹7 crore to ₹7.50 crore net, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha failed to challenge its rival in any major film circuit.
Casting Controversies and Production Backlash: Inside the Ramayana Retelling
Directed by Abhishek Singh, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha features an ensemble combining social media influencers with traditional actors:
Lead Pair & Antagonist: Social media influencer Anjali Arora portrays Goddess Sita, while actor Dev Sharma plays Lord Ram, and seasoned actor Rajneesh Duggal takes on the mythological role of demon king Ravana.
Online Criticism and Skepticism: Ever since promotional teasers and first-look posters were unveiled, the project faced intense backlash across digital forums, where users criticized the choice of cast for revered deities, questioned amateurish visual effects (VFX), and pointed out disjointed production design.
With film trade analysts projecting minimal scope for weekend growth due to low occupancy trends and stiff competition from The Vvaan and the ongoing run of Hanuman Ansh, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha faces an uphill battle to avoid early screen reductions on Saturday and Sunday.