Ramayana Sparks New Debate as Shri Ramlila Mahasangh Demands Preview Screening
Even before its theatrical release, Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated mythological epic “Ramayana” has sparked a fresh controversy. Arjun Kumar, President of the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh, has requested a special preview screening of the film. He expressed concerns regarding its portrayal of the revered Indian epic and urged the filmmakers to ensure that the narrative remains faithful to its source material.
Concerns Over Portrayal of the Epic
During a recent press conference, Kumar revealed that he has sent a formal letter to the filmmakers requesting an advance screening of “Ramayana.” He stated that the demand arises from worries that certain parts of the film could potentially hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus both in India and abroad.
Kumar emphasized that while the Mahasangh supports the film’s release, it is crucial that the sanctity of the epic is preserved. He said, “We welcome this film and encourage millions of people to watch it. We will even arrange free screenings for members of the Ramleela Committee. However, the trailer caused us some distress as it lacked the appropriate sentiment that should have been present. The costumes appeared rather odd and this prompted us to urge the producers and directors to screen the film for the Ramleela Committee before its release.”
He added, “If any shortcomings are found, we can offer our input and we would certainly welcome the film. However, if the film is released without such a screening much like ‘Adipurush’ and ends up hurting religious sentiments, we warn that we will not allow it to run.”
Backlash from Previous Adaptations
Kumar referenced the backlash faced by “Adipurush,” noting that inaccuracies in its adaptation led to widespread criticism. One major objection was the depiction of Lanka in black, rather than the traditionally described golden kingdom. Such creative liberties were believed to have contributed to the film’s poor reception at the box office.
In addition to concerns raised by the trailer, Kumar claimed that the Mahasangh had received information suggesting that certain portions of “Ramayana” could be objectionable to audiences. However, he did not specify which scenes might be problematic. “According to information received by the Mahasangh, Ramayana may also contain certain scenes that could hurt the sentiments of Hindus living in India and abroad. In light of this, the organisation has requested a special preview screening to ensure that any potentially objectionable scenes or dialogues are identified and removed prior to release.”
Potential Protests if Concerns Aren’t Addressed
Kumar has also warned that if the filmmakers do not agree to their request for a preview screening, and if the film contains inaccuracies, the Mahasangh will stage protests and demonstrations outside cinema halls across various cities during its release.
“Ramayana” is one of the most anticipated Indian films in recent years. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the epic features a star-studded cast, including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita Maa, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi. Producer Yash also plays the role of Ravana.
The ambitious project is set to release in two parts, with the first installment expected to hit cinemas during Diwali this year, followed by the second part around the same festive period next year. As anticipation builds, it remains to be seen whether the filmmakers will respond to the Mahasangh’s request for a special screening ahead of the film’s release.
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