Social media is flooded with angry comments and posts against the makers of the film Adipurush. Netizens have called out both Om Raut and Manoj Muntashir specifically for playing with their emotions and making a mockery of the much-revered epic and the Hindu epitome Bhagwan Ram.
Following the rage the Hindu Sena on June 16 moved a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) against the film demanding the removal of ‘objectionable scenes’ from the film. The plea also stated that the depiction of Bhagwan Ram, Mata Sita and Hanumanji are contrary to the common beliefs.
The plea moved by the National President of Hindu Sena Shri Vishnu Gupta, claimed that the feature film directed by Om Raut is not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition in terms of Section 5A of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
“The Hindus have a particular view of the image of Lord Ram, Sita and Hanuman and any change/tampering of their divine image by the film producers, directors and actors would be a violation of their fundamental rights,” the plea stated.
The film has shown the ideals of Sanatan Dharma in bad light and hence are trying to defame the Hindu religious sentiments.
“The hairstyle, beard and dressing are well defined as per image created in epics. Any variation by film producers, directors and actors would certainly hurt the sentiments of worshipers, devotees and religious believers,” the plea said asking for ‘corrective measures’ to be taken by the film producers and directors.
“The bearded look of Ravana’s character played by Saif Ali Khan in the film is hurting the sentiments of Hindu community as the Hindu Brahmin Ravana is shown making a ghastly face in a wrong manner which is an absolute insult to Hindu civilisation, Hindu religious figures, idols, ideals, etc.,” the plea alleges.
“Distorted public exhibition of Hindu religious figures by film Adipurush is a clear cut violation of freedom of conscience and practice in as much as freedom to manage religious affairs as guaranteed under Article 26 which is also violated,” it said.
“That the petitioner has preferred the aforesaid Writ petition in the shape of PIL against the feature film “ADIPURUSH” directed by Om Raut which has hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community by depicting the religious leaders/characters/figures in an inaccurate and inappropriate manner contrary to the description of Hindu religious leaders/characters as described in Ramayana authored by writers like Maharishi Valmiki, Saint Tulsidas etc. The Petitioner being aggrieved, concerned and hurt by such an inaccurate description of the religious leaders/characters in the film ‘Adipurush’ gave a Representation dated 04.10.2022 to the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. However, the said representation has not been responded to as of date”, the petition read.
The petition further stated the depiction of Ravana, Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Hanuman in the feature film Adipurush is contrary to the image and descriptions of these religious leaders /characters/figures as depicted in Maharishi Valmiki’s Ramayan and Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas.
It added that the PIL has been filed for ‘the benefit of the public in general who may be incapable of accessing the court themselves because they are not fully/properly equipped, financially as well as legally.’
Notably, the film Adipurush was released in theatres on June 16 and contrary to the hype created around the film, it is facing backlash on social media platforms. Since the first teaser of the film was dropped in October 2022, the film is facing criticism.
From Ravan having a long beard and his eyes filled with kajal to Hanuman Ji without moustaches, Meghnath with tattoos, Hanumanji greeting mata Sita in American style and Bhagwan Ram in white attire, the film is facing massive backlash for not meeting the audience’s demands.
The audience is angry at the fact that the makers even after claiming the film to be based on the epic Ramayan have done blunders with the story. The looks of Ravan were called out in the first teaser itself, the people called out the colour of the clothes for Bhagwan Ram and mata Sita, and then people called out the missing moustache of Hanuman Ji.
Even after revising the teaser and poster of the film multiple times, the director, Om Raut has done a lot of blunders.
