Introduction: A Mythic Epic Besieged by Modern Mud-Slinging

In the glittering yet treacherous world of Bollywood, where ancient tales meet cutting-edge drama, the upcoming Ramayana adaptation has become a lightning rod for controversy. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, this ambitious two-part epic stars Ranbir Kapoor as the noble Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as the devoted Sita. With Yash rumored as the formidable Ravana, the film promises a visual spectacle blending Hans Zimmer's orchestral flair with A.R. Rahman's soulful melodies. But before a single frame hits theaters, the leads find themselves mired in scandals that fans are calling out as orchestrated sabotage. From a fleeting on-screen puff to doctored beach snaps, these incidents aren't just personal jabs—they're fueling a broader outrage over how trolls, misinformation, and shadowy PR tactics are poisoning the well of cinematic celebration.

Ranbir Kapoor's Vaping Cameo: Purity Under Scrutiny

Ranbir Kapoor, fresh off his intense turn in Animal, stepped into the divine shoes of Lord Ram with promises of transformation. Reports swirled of his vow to go vegetarian, shun alcohol, and kick smoking to embody the epitome of dharma and restraint. Yet, just as Ramayana buzz builds, his cameo in Aryan Khan's Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood* has thrown a wrench into that narrative. In a cheeky Episode 7 scene, Ranbir plays a suave version of himself, casually vaping during a chat with Karan Johar about hiring a manager. What was meant as a light-hearted nod to industry absurdities exploded into a firestorm.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) weighed in swiftly, firing off a letter to Mumbai Police demanding an FIR against Ranbir, the producers, and Netflix. They argued the portrayal glamorizes e-cigarettes, potentially misleading young viewers amid India's strict anti-vaping laws. Social media erupted, with detractors dredging up Ranbir's past admissions—like his 2011 gush over beef during Rockstar promotions—to question his sanctity for the role. Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna piled on, doubting if the Animal star could channel Ram's unyielding virtue, especially post his hyper-masculine screen persona. Fans, however, see through the noise: this feels like a deliberate hit to undermine the film's reverence.

Sai Pallavi's AI-Morphed Nightmare: From Sarees to Scorn

Across the border in the South, Sai Pallavi—celebrated for her grounded, no-frills ethos—faced her own digital ambush. Known for shunning item numbers and embracing modest roles in films like Premam and Gargi, she recently vacationed with sister Pooja Kannan. Innocent beach selfies, shared by Pooja on Instagram, showed the duo soaking up the sun in swimsuits. But trolls twisted the knife, circulating AI-generated images morphing Sai into bikini-clad fantasies, far removed from her signature sarees.

The backlash was swift and sexist: comments sneered, "So the 'traditional' Sai wears bikinis off-screen?" and mocked her as just another "so-called heroine." Fact-checks quickly debunked the fakes, revealing crude edits from real vacation pics. Fans rallied fiercely, retorting, "What do you expect her to wear underwater—a saree?" and decrying the invasion of privacy. Echoing broader fears, this isn't isolated; AI deepfakes have haunted stars like Janhvi Kapoor, turning personal moments into public shame. For Sai, embodying Sita's grace, these attacks sting as targeted character assassination.

Fans Cry Foul: Coordinated PR Assault or Cultural Overreach?

What ties these flare-ups? Devoted Ramayana enthusiasts are sounding alarms over a "dirty PR" conspiracy, alleging rival camps or ideologues are weaponizing old clips and fake visuals to derail the project. Social media sleuths point to timed leaks—Ranbir's cameo dropping amid Ramayana set photos, Sai's morphed pics surging post-casting buzz—as evidence of coordination. They blame a toxic brew: keyboard warriors enforcing "purity tests" on actors, misinformation mills churning outrage for clicks, and censorship hawks stifling creative risks. Echoes of Adipurush's backlash linger, where mythological retellings faced boycotts over "distortions." Chinmayi Sripada defended Ranbir, slamming hypocrites who overlook real scandals while fixating on beef or beachwear.

The Bigger Picture: Trolling vs. Triumph in Cinema

These scandals underscore a grim truth: in an era of deepfakes and dopamine-driven discourse, celebrating art often takes a backseat to cancellation. Ramayana's leads aren't flawless icons, but their talent has earned them these roles. Fans urge a pivot—from vilifying actors to valuing the story's timeless lessons of resilience and righteousness. As production wraps, the real battle isn't on Lanka's shores but in our feeds. Will we let trolls triumph, or rally for a film that honors heritage without the hate? Bollywood's faithful say it's time to choose: outrage or ovation.

Read Also: Bollywood's Epic Reunion: Aamir and Salman's Playful Kiss, Banter, and Heartfelt Confessions in 'Two Much' Premiere

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