Protests Erupt Outside Delhi Multiplex As Hindu Groups Demand Halt To 'Adipurush' Screening

Alleging the distortion of Ramayana's facts and the use of indecent dialogues, they demanded an immediate halt to the film's screening, sparking a nationwide debate on artistic interpretation and cultural sensitivity.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 19 June 2023 4:54 pm

A still of Prabhas from Adipurush

In a unique turn of events, a heated protest erupted outside a multiplex in Delhi as several Hindu groups voiced their concerns over the recently released film "Adipurush." The protesters, affiliated with the United Hindu Front and the Nationalist Shiv Sena, accused the film of distorting the facts of the revered Hindu epic Ramayana. They also criticized the movie for employing indecent dialogues, which they believed disregarded the sentiments of millions of Hindus,as PTI reported.

Gathering outside the Vikas Cine Mall in Shahdara, east Delhi, the activists raised slogans against the film and called for an immediate halt to its screening. Despite the protest, the film continued to be shown without any interruptions, confirmed a senior police officer present at the scene.

Jai Bhagwan Goyal, a representative of the United Hindu Front, expressed his strong disapproval of the film and called for a nationwide ban until its controversial dialogues and scenes were removed. Similarly, in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, a group of seers demanded the film's prohibition, claiming that it was part of an "international conspiracy" to defame the revered Sanatan culture. Mahamandaleshwar Swami Prabodhanand of Juna Akhara criticized the dialogues of the characters portraying Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman, labeling them as condemnable.

The seers urged the Indian government to take immediate action and ban "Adipurush" to prevent potential chaos in the country. Mahamandaleshwar Swami Santoshanand further emphasized the need for strict measures against the filmmakers, stating that the portrayal of the film's characters went against the cherished Sanatan tradition.

"Adipurush," directed by Om Raut and starring Prabhas and Kriti Sanon, serves as a contemporary retelling of the epic Ramayana. However, the film has faced significant backlash due to its dialogue choices, colloquial language, and depiction of certain characters from the revered scripture.