KATHMANDU, June 19: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has halted the screening of Indian films in cinema halls within the metropolis effective from today.

Kathmandu metropolis is home to 17 movie halls, spread across its 32 wards. The decision to halt the screening of Indian films stems from Mayor Balendra Shah's dissatisfaction with the South Indian film 'Adipurush'.

The mayor is specifically unhappy with the inclusion of the sentence "Janki is the daughter of India." Mayor Shah had given a three-day ultimatum through his Facebook status to rectify the dialogue, which remained unaddressed.

However, the filmmakers have failed to correct the dialogue in question. Moreover, Manoj Muntashir, the lyricist and writer of the film, has made statements insinuating that Janaki is the daughter of India, incorrectly suggesting that Nepal was part of India before 1903.

In a recent Facebook post, Mayor Shah expressed his apprehensions regarding the screening of the movie, emphasizing the potential harm it could inflict upon Nepal's cultural unity and national identity. Referring to Clause (6) of Article 5 and Article 56 of the Constitution of Nepal, the Mayor highlighted the shared responsibility of the federal, provincial, and local governments in safeguarding the national interest.

He expressed concerns that if the film were to be shown in its current state, it could result in significant and irreparable damage to Nepal's nationality, cultural unity, and national identity. The mayor further emphasized the need to address the issue promptly, given the perceived cultural encroachment depicted in the film, which has garnered considerable attention within the metropolis.

 
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