Anjali Arora, who rose to fame through her reels and social media content, is now making her acting debut in ‘Shri Mahakavya Ramayan Katha,’ where she plays Sita. Anjali has faced considerable trolling on social media, but she says she chooses not to let the trolls affect her.
‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha,’ directed by Abhishek Singh, is set to release on September 25.
Anjali also clarifies her experience on a reality show hosted by Kangana Ranaut. Read on to know more.
Excerpts from Anjali Arora’s Interview
Anjali, you have been in the public eye for quite some time and have often faced trolling on social media. How do you deal with it, especially when women tend to be trolled more than men?
I believe you should pay a deaf ear to trolls. There will always be people who have something to say, but I have learned not to let their opinions affect me. I try to answer questions and criticism with a smile because that is how I want to carry myself. With time, I have understood that not everything deserves a reaction.
You started your journey as a social media personality and became popular through your viral content. Today, you are stepping into a mythological project with ‘Shri Ramayan Katha.’ How do you look at this transformation?
I think being an influencer is also a talent. Social media gave me an opportunity to connect with people and build my identity. Now, as an actress, I want to explore different characters and show another side of myself. ‘Shri Ramayan Katha’ is a completely different experience for me, and playing Sita Maa is a huge responsibility. I see this as a new beginning in my acting journey.
What does Sita mean to you personally?
For me, Sita represents strength. She was graceful, compassionate and strong even when she faced extremely difficult situations. While playing her, I realised that strength does not always have to be loud. Sometimes, patience, dignity and the ability to stand by your values also form strength.
You are known for your modern social media image. How was it to suddenly step into Sita Maa’s simple and traditional look?
Honestly, simplicity is already a part of my personal life. I like wearing simple clothes. Of course, when you are in this industry, there is a lot of colour and glamour around you, but I personally enjoy simplicity. When I wore the saree and the traditional look for Sita Maa, I felt that it represented her beautifully. I also felt that the look suited me, so carrying it became very natural.
Anjali, you come across as a very confident and composed person today. What do you consider your biggest strengths, and was there a particular moment or experience that made you realise how much you had grown and matured as a person?
When I entered a reality show in 2021, I was very young and immature. At that time, I didn’t always know how to respond to situations or differentiate between what was right and wrong for me. That experience taught me an important lesson — never allow anyone to take advantage of you.
I also understood that every person is different. Everyone has a different personality, behaviour and way of thinking. Sometimes we feel that another person is wrong, but perhaps they are simply looking at the situation differently. With time, I became more confident and learned to understand people better.
What was the biggest lesson you took from the reality show experience?
I learned that you should express your opinion at the right time and not always remain silent. When you stay quiet, people can misunderstand your silence and assume that you have done something wrong.
Earlier, people used to say that silence is the biggest strength, but I now feel that it is equally important to speak up at the right time. When you cannot take a stand for yourself, you cannot always expect somebody else to do it for you.
Are reality shows scripted?
I wouldn’t say that they are scripted because I don’t know what happens behind the scenes completely. But there are definitely many things that participants are told before entering a show. There are rules, conditions and certain things you are expected to follow. So, I would say there are definitely instructions and conditions, but I can’t call the entire show scripted.
You have spoken positively about Kangana Ranaut. What was your interaction with her like?
Kangana is someone I have admired since her first film. People may have different opinions about her, but I personally had a good experience with her.
When I entered the reality show, she told me, “You have so many followers.” At that time, I was quiet because I didn’t really know how to respond. She said that she had been in the industry for so many years but didn’t have that many followers and asked me what was special about me.
I told her, “You will find out during my journey.”
That experience taught me something important — you have to know when and how to give the right answer. Your personality can easily be misunderstood, so communication is very important.
Who taught you to handle situations so calmly and respond so sweetly?
Time… Nobody specifically taught me. Practical experience is the best teacher. As we move through life, we meet different people, different personalities and face new challenges. Slowly, we learn. I haven’t experienced everything yet, and I still have a lot to learn. Learning is a never-ending process.
What have you learned from Sita’s sacrifices?
Sita sacrificed a lot throughout her life. She fulfilled her responsibilities as a wife, daughter-in-law and daughter while facing extremely difficult situations with grace. What I admire most is the way she dealt with challenges. She did not allow difficulties to take away her dignity. For me, that is a very powerful quality.
Ram and Sita were also deeply connected. Their relationship was built on love, faith and understanding, and that is something I have come to appreciate even more while playing Sita.
What qualities would you look for in your future husband?
The first and most important quality would be respect. I think respect is extremely important in any relationship. Love can change with time, but respect can last for a lifetime. If there is mutual respect and faith in a relationship, it can remain strong for a very long time. Without trust and respect, it becomes difficult to sustain any relationship.
Comparisons will be made with Dipika, who played Sita. How would you take this comparison?
We have grown up watching and respecting the actors who have portrayed these characters before us. They have created a very special place in people’s hearts. We are simply trying to play our roles with honesty.
If audiences still compare us, perhaps it means our portrayal has made them curious enough to make that comparison. Comparisons will always be made by viewers, and that is their choice. Our responsibility is to present our own interpretation honestly.
Anjali, considering your journey from social media to a mythological role, would you like to explore more mythological characters in the future?
Definitely, I want to explore different personalities and take up new opportunities. This is just the beginning, so I want to see where this journey takes me. I am not putting any restrictions on myself.
If I get an opportunity to play a character associated with Lord Krishna, I would love to explore Radha’s side and the sweetness associated with Krishna. If I get an opportunity connected to Lord Shiva, I would also love to explore that. At the same time, I want to experiment with different genres and characters.
What message would you like to give today’s Gen Z, especially young girls?
I would simply say — be patient with your life decisions. Don’t feel that everything has to happen immediately. Today’s generation can sometimes be very impulsive because everyone wants things quickly.
But whether it is acting, an office career or business, your intention and your approach matter. If you do something with the right intention and the right mindset, you will learn and grow from the journey. So don’t rush everything. Give yourself time.
