Anupam Kher officially wrapped up the first shooting schedule of Shri Ram Bhoomi on July 17, 2026. The production took place directly in Ayodhya. Kher is stepping into the role of the late Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal, a central figure in the long-running Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
He took to Instagram to mark the milestone. Kher shared production photos and told his followers that leaving the city left him with a profound sense of spiritual enrichment. He also noted that a part of him stayed behind, describing Ayodhya as an experience rather than just a geographical location. Kamakhaya Narayan Singh is directing the project, which also features Ritwik Bhowmik and Amruta Khanvilkar in leading roles.
But the shoot itself was not without friction. While on location, Kher walked straight into a fierce social media storm regarding donation theft allegations at the Ram Temple. During a recent interview, the actor dismissed the alleged embezzlement of temple funds as a very, very minor thing when weighed against the historical looting and destruction of temples during the Mughal era.
Critics quickly condemned the remarks. Kher refused to walk them back. He immediately posted a video defending his stance, stating clearly that self-made individuals are not intimidated by online trolls, so-called influencers, or political leaders. The drama captures the real-world tension surrounding the film’s core subject matter, which aims to document the decades of legal and social battles over the temple’s physical construction.