Anjali Arora on filming 'Shri Ramayan Katha' at real Chitrakoot locations
Synopsis
While the VFX-heavy look of Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana divides viewers online, Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha is quietly making a different bet — shooting at the actual forests of Chitrakoot in Chhattisgarh. Anjali Arora and Dev Sharma say the real locations transformed their portrayals of Sita and Ram in ways no set could replicate.
Key Takeaways
Anjali Arora and Dev Sharma filmed Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha at the real forests of Chitrakoot in Bastar, Chhattisgarh .
The production reportedly chose real locations over elaborate sets and extensive VFX — making it the only major Ramayana project to do so, according to sources.
The film is set for release in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi on 25 September .
The announcement comes amid ongoing debate over heavy CGI use in Nitesh Tiwari 's Ramayana starring Ranbir Kapoor .
Chitrakoot is traditionally believed to be where Ram, Sita, and Lakshman spent part of their 14-year Vanvaas .
Actress Anjali Arora has spoken about her experience portraying Sita in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha, filmed at the real forests of Chitrakoot in Bastar, Chhattisgarh — a deliberate creative choice that sets the project apart amid a broader debate over the heavy use of visual effects in big-budget Ramayana adaptations. The makers recently released a behind-the-scenes clip showing Arora and co-star Dev Sharma, who plays Ram, shooting amid the actual landscapes associated with the epic.
The Real-Location Difference
According to a source close to the production, the makers of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha made a conscious decision to move away from elaborate sets and extensive VFX, opting instead to film at locations directly referenced in the Ramayana. Among major Ramayana-based projects in the pipeline — including Adipurush, Ranbir Kapoor and Yash's forthcoming Ramayana, and Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha — the latter is reportedly the only one to have been shot at sites mentioned in the epic.
Chitrakoot holds deep significance in the Ramayana tradition. It is widely believed to be the place where Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Lakshman spent a portion of their 14-year Vanvaas, and is also associated with the emotional reunion between Ram and his brother Bharat, who travelled there to urge Ram to return to Ayodhya and reclaim the throne.
What Anjali Arora Said
Sharing her experience, Arora said, 'Shooting in Chitrakoot was a very different experience for me. While we were there, I kept imagining how Ram ji and Sita ji must have spent their days in these forests during their Vanvaas. It made me realize how difficult those 14 years must have been — living away from everything familiar and adapting to a completely different life.'
She added, 'At the same time, there is something very peaceful and divine about the real forests here. You can actually feel a certain stillness in the surroundings, and being there as Sita ji made me connect with the character in a much deeper way. It's an experience I will genuinely carry with me.'
Dev Sharma on the Emotional Weight of the Location
Co-star Dev Sharma echoed the sentiment. 'Shooting in Chitrakoot, a place so closely associated with Ram ji's Vanvaas, was a deeply special experience,' he said. 'Standing amidst these forests made me think about the journey Ram ji undertook and the strength and resilience it must have required. The real location brought a completely different emotion to the portrayal.'
The VFX Debate and the Contrast It Creates
The statements come amid sustained online discussion about the visual treatment in Nitesh Tiwari's directorial Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor. Promotional teasers and trailers for that project have drawn criticism from some viewers who described the effects as overly glossy and heavily computer-generated. The debate has amplified interest in how different productions are choosing to interpret the same source material — and whether authenticity of location can substitute for scale of spectacle.
Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha is scheduled for release in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi on 25 September.
Point of View
The makers of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha have found an organic differentiator — authenticity of place. Whether that translates to box-office traction is another question; Adipurush demonstrated that real-location credentials alone cannot insulate a Ramayana film from audience scrutiny. What the Chitrakoot footage does achieve is a clear positioning play: this is the devotional, grounded alternative to the blockbuster spectacle. For a film releasing in both Hindi and Chhattisgarhi, that framing could matter more in smaller markets than in multiplexes.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha and when does it release?
Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha is a Ramayana-based film starring Anjali Arora as Sita and Dev Sharma as Ram. It is scheduled to release on 25 September in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi languages.
Where was Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha filmed?
The film was shot at real locations in Chitrakoot, Bastar, Chhattisgarh — a site traditionally associated with Lord Ram's 14-year Vanvaas. The makers reportedly chose to avoid elaborate sets and heavy VFX in favour of authentic locations.
Why is the VFX debate over Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana relevant here?
Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, has drawn online criticism for what some viewers describe as overly glossy, heavily computer-generated visuals. The real-location approach of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha is being noted in contrast to that aesthetic choice.
What is the significance of Chitrakoot in the Ramayana?
Chitrakoot is traditionally believed to be the place where Ram, Sita, and Lakshman spent part of their 14-year exile. It is also associated with the emotional meeting between Ram and his brother Bharat, who urged Ram to return to Ayodhya and reclaim the throne.
Who plays Ram and Sita in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha?
Anjali Arora portrays Sita and Dev Sharma plays Ram in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha.
