KATHMANDU, June 16: In a series of “bold” moves that have once again put him in the spotlight, Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has taken a firm stance against the movie 'Adipurush.' He has vowed to ban all Hindi films until a controversial dialogue is rectified. This comes after Mayor Shah made headlines earlier for displaying a map of 'Greater Nepal' at his office amidst a heated row over the Akhanda Bharat map unveiled by India.
The much-anticipated Indian film 'Adipurush' became embroiled in a heated controversy, sparking protests in Nepal. The film, centered around the epic tale of Ramayana and its characters Lord Ram, Sita, and Ravana, has come under fire for its inaccurate portrayal of Sita's origin.
The controversy erupted when the movie trailer for 'Adipurush' included a dialogue stating that Goddess Sita, a revered figure in Hindu mythology, is a daughter of India. This claim has stirred up strong reactions among Nepalis, as historical accounts confirm that Sita was born in Janakpur, Nepal.
Mayor Shah's fiery statement sent shockwaves through social media platforms. He declared, "Until and unless the slogan ‘Janaki is a daughter of India’ contained in the film 'Adipurush' is removed, not only in Nepal but also in India, no Hindi film will be allowed to screen in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Three days have been given to correct this. Hail Mother Sita."
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Following Mayor Shah's warning, the filmmakers, UV Creations and T-Series, took action to address the concerns. They promptly removed the controversial line, aiming to rectify the situation and ensure the film's release in Nepal alongside India.
Amidst the controversy, lawmaker Ashim Shah raised the issue in today's meeting of the House of Representatives. India’s Central Film Screening Committee, in response to public outrage following the Mayor's social media status, refused to approve the screening of 'Adipurush.'
However, even after the removal of the disputed dialogue, dissatisfaction persists among the public in Nepal. Social media platforms are flooded with heated debates, and several prominent theaters, including QFX, Big Movies, One Cinemas, and CDC Cinemas, canceled the morning show of 'Adipurush' in the wake of Mayor Shah’s warning.
The Nepal Motion Picture Association, representing the film halls, urged all cinemas in Kathmandu to refrain from screening the film until further notice. This decision led to widespread discontent and further fueled the controversy. The morning show of the film was suspended due to the dispute, causing frustration among eager moviegoers.
Similarly, the recent decision by the Censor Board to allow the release of the movie 'Adipurush' with a muted dialogue has sparked outrage and garnered criticism on social media platforms. Many users have condemned the decision, describing it as 'foolish' and comparing it to speaking freely while closing the ears of the listeners. They argue that muting the dialogue does not rectify the erroneous statement made in the movie, thereby failing to address the underlying issue. The public's discontent stems from the fact that despite the muted dialogue, the original statement remains unchanged in the film.
Several videos circulating on various social media platforms depict instances of youth entering cinema halls and causing disruptions during the screening of the movie. These actions have been attributed to their support for Mayor Balen's bold stance against the controversial dialogue in 'Adipurush.'
The controversy not only impacted the film's screening but also raised security concerns. Some theaters decided to halt screenings due to safety reasons. It is worth noting that approximately 6,000 tickets were already sold for the morning shows before their cancellation.
While on the one hand, the Nepal Motion Picture Association called for a meeting to address the issues surrounding 'Adipurush' and make a final decision on the film's screening, Mayor Shah, on the other hand, wrote a letter addressed to the Prime Minister's Office on Friday, highlighting the need for diplomatic interventions to eliminate objectionable dialogue from the movie.
Mayor Shah emphasized that allowing the film to be shown in areas beyond the Kathmandu Metropolitan City while prohibiting it within the city would create a misleading perception. Consequently, he appealed to the Nepal government to engage in diplomatic discussions with the neighboring friendly country India to ensure the removal of objectionable content from the movie.
While the filmmakers have taken steps to remove the controversial dialogue, Mayor Balen Shah's insistence on its removal for both Nepali and Indian audiences has complicated the matter. Theater operators, including QFX, are now awaiting a response from the government and seeking clarification on how to proceed.
