Historic Twist at Red Fort: Army Officer to Play Mandodari in World-Famous Lav Kush Ramlila
For the first time, an army officer — Major Shalu Verma — will play Mandodari at the iconic Lav Kush Ramlila, replacing actress Poonam Pandey after public objections.
Delhi’s legendary Lav Kush Ramlila at the Red Fort grounds is set to witness a historic moment this year as Major Shalu Verma steps into the role of Mandodari, replacing actress Poonam Pandey. The announcement marks a significant change in the casting of one of the most important characters in the epic Ramayana staging.
Committee President Arjun Kumar and General Secretary Subhash Goyal confirmed that Poonam Pandey had initially agreed to play Mandodari upon the committee’s invitation. However, soon after the official announcement, several organizations and sections of society expressed objections to her participation. The committee took these sentiments seriously, emphasizing that the core aim of the Ramlila is to spread Lord Shri Ram’s message to society without controversy or distraction.
After a series of deliberations and discussions, the committee unanimously chose to cast Major Shalu Verma for the role. This year’s Ramlila carries a special theme — “Operation Sindoor” — which symbolizes courage, patriotism, and sacrifice. The decision to involve defence personnel in key roles was made to reinforce the theme’s message and honor the armed forces.
Arjun Kumar shared, “This year’s Ramlila holds special significance for us. By bringing in members of the armed forces, we aim to showcase not just the story of Ramayana, but also the courage and discipline that soldiers embody. Major Shalu Verma playing Mandodari is a proud moment for us.” He further revealed that four to five other defence personnel will also be seen portraying important characters on stage.
The move has been welcomed with excitement and appreciation by both the committee and the audience. For many, this casting decision adds a new layer of inspiration and authenticity to the Ramlila, blending spiritual storytelling with a tribute to national heroes.
As the historic Red Fort grounds prepare to host thousands of devotees, this year’s production promises to be an unforgettable experience — one that merges devotion, tradition, and patriotism in a way that has never been seen before on the Ramlila stage.
