New Delhi: Poonam Pandey, the actor who wanted to strip if India won the ODI World Cup in 2011, is now in the crosshairs of RSS affiliate VHP, after it was announced that she would play Ravan’s wife in Delhi’s annual Ramlila, an event recognised by UNESCO.
Actor Arya Babbar has been picked to play Ravan in the 10-day-long Ramlila event this year, with BJP MP Manoj Tiwari playing Parashuram.
But the VHP’s objection is to Poonam Pandey playing Mandodari, and they have asked the organisers, the Lav Kush Ramlila Committee, to reconsider casting her, “given her public image and past controversies” which they claim “could hurt the sentiments of devotees”.
The committee, however, said they were not considering dropping Pandey, and argued that controversies from the past should not prevent an artist from being given an opportunity to improve herself.
Surendra Gupta, secretary of the Indraprastha Vishva Hindu Parishad, Delhi, expressed serious concerns over the matter and wrote a letter to the Lav Kush Ramleela Committee requesting them to reconsider their decision.
In the letter, Gupta emphasised that Ramlila is not simply a theatrical performance, but a living element of Indian society and values. The organisation mentioned the UNESCO cultural honour conferred on Ramleela, recognising it as a traditional performance with international acclaim.
In the letter, the Delhi VHP said it was an issue of cultural and moral sensitivity, and there were concerns over the public image of Pandey.
The Delhi VHP said the selection of characters in Ramayana-based productions should be guided not only by acting skills, but by cultural appropriateness and respect for devotees’ sentiments.
“The character of Mandodari represents virtue, dignity, restraint, and the ideal of devoted wifehood. Therefore, the selection of the artist for this role should reflect these ideals,” it said in the letter.
The letter also said, due to Pandey’s public image and past controversies, there may be outrage among devotees. The Delhi VHP suggested selecting an actor whose traditional theatrical background or public record aligns with cultural expectations.
“Our intention is not to oppose any artist personally, but to safeguard the cultural sanctity of public events associated with sacred texts like the Ramayana and preserve devotees’ faith,” Gupta said.
He also said the primary purpose of Ramleela is to promote religion, morality, and values, and every decision should reflect this spirit.
The organising committee, however, told ThePrint that it is going ahead with the cast and changes will not be made. “If society is willing to give men a second chance, the same principle should apply to women,” Arjun Kumar, president, Lav Kush Ramlila Committee (Red Fort) said.
“On one hand we talk about women empowerment and talk about respecting women. You tell me if a daku can become a Member of Parliament, if today Ravan is being depicted by Arya Babbar, why can’t Poonam Pandey depict the role of Mandodari?” he asked.
He further said that Pandey was going to portray a positive role. “If she is going to play a positive role and that too within limits (maryada) what more good can there be? Our view is that if a man does anything, it is praised, but if a woman does the same thing, it is considered bad. Why? She has millions of followers and if they see her portray such a positive role, they will also undergo change,” he added.
Pandey is known for her controversial stunts in the past. The actor had promised to strip if India won the 2011 ODI Cricket World Cup. Her own app—Pandey App—launched in 2017, was banned by Google for ‘explicit content’.
In 2024, the actor’s team had falsely announced her death due to cervical cancer only to later reveal it was a stunt to raise awareness about the disease, something which resulted in public outrage.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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