Anjali Arora on Shooting Shri Ramayan Katha at Real Chitrakoot Locations

Why It Matters: Authenticity as a Selling Point

In an era where big-budget mythological adaptations increasingly lean on CGI-heavy production, filming at real, epic-associated locations offers a point of differentiation. A source close to the production revealed that the makers deliberately chose to move away from artificial sets and heavy VFX, opting instead for the authenticity of shooting where the events are traditionally believed to have unfolded.

What Anjali Arora Experienced

Describing her time in Chitrakoot, Anjali said the experience was markedly different from a typical studio shoot. She shared that being surrounded by the actual forests made her reflect on how difficult Ram and Sita's 14 years in exile must have been, living away from everything familiar. She also spoke of a distinct sense of peace and stillness in the real landscape, noting that it helped her connect with Sita's character on a deeper emotional level — an experience she said she would carry with her.

Dev Sharma's Perspective

Echoing similar sentiments, Dev Sharma called shooting in Chitrakoot "deeply special," given the location's close association with Ram's Vanvaas. He said standing amid the same forests made him reflect on the strength and resilience the journey must have demanded, adding that the real setting brought an entirely different emotional dimension to his portrayal.

Industry Impact: Standing Apart From Other Ramayana Adaptations

Among the current crop of Ramayana-based cinematic projects — including "Adipurush," Ranbir Kapoor and Yash's "Ramayana," and "Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha" — the latter is reportedly the only one to have been filmed at locations explicitly mentioned within the epic itself. This positions the project uniquely within a genre increasingly associated with large VFX budgets and studio-built worlds.

The Cultural and Historical Significance of Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot holds significant importance within the Ramayana narrative, traditionally believed to be where Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman spent part of their exile. The location is also remembered as the site of the emotional reunion between Ram and his brother Bharat, who travelled there to urge Ram's return to Ayodhya and reclaim the throne — a moment considered pivotal in the epic's emotional arc.

The Bigger Picture

As mythological retellings continue to multiply on Indian screens, the contrast between VFX-driven spectacle and location-based authenticity is emerging as a genuine talking point among audiences. "Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha's" grounded approach may resonate with viewers seeking a more textured, place-rooted connection to the epic, even as bigger-budget productions bet on visual scale.

The Bottom Line

"Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha," slated to release in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi on September 25, enters theatres with a distinct identity shaped by its commitment to real locations. As comparisons with other Ramayana adaptations continue, its Chitrakoot-shot sequences could become a defining talking point in how audiences engage with the epic on screen this year.