A Plea Filed in Delhi High Court Against Om Raut's Film 'Adipurush' Alleges Mockery of Hindu Epic

| 16 June 2023

New Delhi, June 8, 2023 - A plea has been filed in the Delhi High Court by Vishnu Gupta, the National President of the Hindu Sena, against the upcoming film 'Adipurush' directed by Om Raut. The plea alleges that the movie, starring Prabhas and Kriti Sanon, has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community by mocking the revered Hindu epic, 'Ramayana.'

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) states that 'Adipurush' has portrayed Lord Rama, Sita, Ravana, and Hanuman in objectionable and inaccurate ways. It seeks immediate directions from the court to either remove or rectify the scenes in question to uphold the sanctity of these revered deities.

According to the plea, the depiction of the characters in the film is not in line with the descriptions provided in the original texts of 'Ramayana,' authored by Maharishi Valmiki, and 'Ramcharitmanas,' authored by Saint Tulsidas. Vishnu Gupta argues that the inaccurate portrayal of Hindu religious figures in 'Adipurush' not only undermines their significance but also disrespects the faith and culture of the Hindu community.

One particular aspect of the film that has drawn criticism is the portrayal of Lord Ravana, played by actor Saif Ali Khan. The plea objects to the character's bearded appearance, alleging that it has hurt Hindu sentiments by deviating from the traditional depiction of Ravana.

The plea states, "Hindu Brahmin Ravana is shown making a ghastly face in a wrong manner, which is an absolute insult to Hindu civilization." It further claims that the scenes involving Ravana in 'Adipurush' distort the facts surrounding the character, further exacerbating the offense caused.

The petition filed by Vishnu Gupta is now before the Delhi High Court, and it remains to be seen how the court will address the concerns raised by the Hindu Sena. It is not the first time a film has faced legal challenges due to alleged misrepresentation or disrespect of religious sentiments. The court's decision will likely have implications for the creative freedom of filmmakers and the responsibility they hold when handling subjects that are deeply revered by communities.

The controversy surrounding 'Adipurush' raises questions about the delicate balance between artistic expression and cultural sensitivity. As the case unfolds, it will test the boundaries of free speech and the rights of religious communities to protect their beliefs from perceived misinterpretation or insult.

Om Raut's 'Adipurush' is an adaptation of the Hindu epic 'Ramayana' and has garnered significant attention since its announcement. The film features Prabhas in the role of Lord Rama and Kriti Sanon as Sita. The project has been highly anticipated by fans of Indian mythology and cinema alike.

The Delhi High Court is expected to take up the matter for consideration in the coming weeks, where arguments from both sides will be presented before a final decision is made. Until then, the fate of 'Adipurush' hangs in the balance, with the outcome likely to have far-reaching implications for the portrayal of religious figures in mainstream media.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the allegations made in the plea filed by Vishnu Gupta and does not reflect the views or opinions of the publication. The court proceedings and final judgment will determine the accuracy of the allegations.