Adipurush Row| 'Obnoxious Story Has Hurt Sentiments Of Followers Of Sanatan Dharma': Plea In Allahabad HC Seeks Quashing Of CBFC Certificate

An amendment application has been filed before the Allahabad High Court in a pending Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea (filed last year) against the exhibition of the Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon starrer movie-Adipurush.

The plea says that the "obnoxious" story of the movie is "against the decency, morality and prestige of God and Goddesses" and that it has "hurt the feeling of the followers of Sanatan Dharma".

Averring that the Central Board of Film Certification has failed to discharge its statutory obligation as totally false and baseless narratives have been set-up in the film, the plea seeks quashing of the certificate granted by the board for the exhibition of the movie.

Essentially, these avernments have been added by way of an amendment in the pending PIL plea was moved by Social Activists Kuldeep Tiwari and Bandana Kumar through advocates Ranjana Agnihotri and Sudha Sharma last year stating that the movie cast aspersion on the characters of the great epic Ramayana and tarnishes the image of the cultural heritage of Ayodhya and Hindu religion in general.

"That the impugned certificate has been granted in clear violation of the The Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983. The impugned certificate indicates that the film in question has not been examined in accordance with the Rules. It is said that a committee comprising of five members has examined the film, and none of whom possess expertise as scholars of Valmikiya Ramayana which is a clear violation of Rule 41(4)(C) of Rules 1983...That the members of the examining committee have acted in a manner that contravenes Section 5B (1) of the Cinematography Act, 1952, displaying a reckless and unlawful approach that disregards Valmikiya Ramayan and tarnishes the rich cultural heritage of the country," the plea adds.

Objecting to Maa Sita's attire as shown in the movie, the plea says that as per Sri Rama Charit Manas, Maa Sita always wore modest attire, with a veil and a sacred Tilak on her forehead, however, in the movie, Maa Sita has been portrayed wearing "immodest clothes" without a veil and the sacred Tilak on her forehead.

The plea also objects to the portrayal of Lord Rama's life in exile, as the plea states thus:

"It is evident from above that during the period of exile, Lord Rama and Maa Sita consistently wore ochre cloths and lived a simple and austere life. However, the film portrays romantic scenes that are entirely false and misleading. The depiction of such scenes contradicts the truth of their ascetic lifestyle during exile."

Regarding portrayal of Ravana in the movie, the plea says that as per descriptions of Lankesh Ravam in Valmiki Ramayan, Kamb Ramayan, Krittivas Ramayan, Rangnath Ramayan, and Shri Ram Charit Manas, Ravana was a "Brahmin, a great scholar, a devotee of Lord Shiva, and the proponent of the famous Shiv Tandav Strot and Rawan Sanhita (a compilation of Astrology and Ayurveda)".

"However, in the movie, the portrayal of Lankesh has created doubt as it depicts him in an awfully, cheap and appalling manner, presenting him as filthy, ugly, horrible, and illiterate," the plea adds.

In this regard, the plea further submits that the filmmakers have, deliberately and knowingly, attacked the sentiments, faith, and beliefs of the followers of Sanatan Dharma and worshipers of Lord Rama and Maa Sita.

"the Filmmakers have apparently violated the above guidelines by showcasing the Valmiki Ramayana against decency and morality by lowering down the dignity and prestige of God and Goddesses thereby hurting the feeling of the followers of Sanatan Dharma...That the actions of the filmmakers have severely affected the fundamental rights of the petitioners guaranteed under Articles 25 of the Constitution of India...the action of the film-makers, script-writers, actors and the entire team of 'Adipurush' have intentionally, maliciously, and deliberately insulted the religious feelings of the petitioners, and such an action is punishable under Sections 294, 295, and 295A of the Indian Penal Code."

Consequently, the plea argues that the Film-makers have apparently violated the Guidelines for Certification of Films for Public Exhibition which categorically provides that the Board of Film Certification shall ensure that visuals or words contemptuous of racial, religious or other groups are not presented

It also adds that the movie has obtained certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) through a flawed and illegal process as the CBFC granted an "U" certificate to the film, disregarding the guidelines and criteria set for certification.

It also submits that the examining committee responsible for evaluating the film lacked the necessary expertise in Valmiki Ramayana, thereby rendering their recommendation invalid and thereafter, the CBFC issued a certificate for public exhibition without considering the violation of guidelines and the inaccuracies in the film's portrayal.

Against this backdrop, the amendment plea seeks qushing of the certificate issued to the film.

It may be noted that the High Court has already directed the Central government to constitute a committee to ‘revisit’ the certificate issued to the Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon starrer movie.

Further, observing that shameful and disgusting portrayal of religious Icons including Lord Rama, Devi Sita and Lord Hanuman in the movie Adipurush has hurt the emotions of the people at large, the High Court has also sought the personal presence of movie Director (Om Raut), Producer (Bhushan Kumar) and Dialogue Writer (Manoj Muntashir Shukla) to explain their bonafide.