Overview

• At a press conference in Delhi, the committee announced that another artiste will play Mandodari in this year’s production.
• Leaders from the VHP and BJP had formally urged her replacement, arguing the role requires cultural appropriateness and respect for devotees’ sentiments.
• Earlier statements from committee president Arjun Kumar said she would not be replaced, and organisers circulated her video pledging to fast during Navratri as she prepared.
• The Red Fort production remains on schedule, with Arya Babbar portraying Ravana and the ensemble continuing as planned without Pandey.
• Pandey had previously been slated to perform on September 29–30 after a planned September 26 arrival for rehearsals, according to the committee’s earlier timeline.