Delhi HC rejects right-wing org's urgent PIL against "Adipurush"

New Delhi: An urgent hearing of a right-wing group's petition asking for directions on the removal or correction of allegedly objectionable parts in "Adipurush" was denied by the Delhi High Court on Wednesday.

The Om Raut-directed picture was widely released on June 16; the complaint, which was submitted as a PIL, contends that the characters deviate from how these holy figures are portrayed in the Hindu epic Ramayana.

During the hearing, petitioner, Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta's counsel sought for the listing of the plea on Wednesday or Friday, which was initially listed for June 30, IANS reported.

"I am seeking the listing of the plea today or on Friday because there are many controversial scenes in the movie," the counsel said.

"When the teaser of the movie was released there was an outcry, the director promised to remove parts, but it wasn't removed, similarly when the trailer of the movie was released it happened again, they promised again. Currently, it hinges the international relations, even Nepal has banned the movie", the counsel further contended.

However, a vacation bench of Justices Tara Vitasta Ganju and Amit Mahajan refused the urgent listing of the matter.

"You are well aware in advance of the release of the film. If it has already released what are you restraining?" Justice Ganju remarked orally.

The PIL also challenges the certification granted to the film under the Cinematograph Act of 1952 and it names the director, producers, and official parties as respondents.

It is the petitioner's case that the movie "offends the sentiments" of the Hindu community by presenting the religious characters in "an inaccurate and inappropriate manner" that goes against the descriptions found in the works of authors like Maharishi Valmiki and Tulsidas.

The petition argues that the portrayal of characters such as Ravana (played by Saif Ali Khan) and Lord Hanuman in the film is completely divorced from Indian civilisation.

"The bearded look of Ravana's character played by Saif Ali Khan in the film is hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community as the Hindu Brahmin Ravana is shown making a ghastly face in a wrong manner which is an absolute insult to Hindu civilisation, Hindu religious figures, idols, ideals, etc.," the plea alleges.

The petition also claims that the "inaccurate" depiction of Hindu religious characters has garnered criticism and resentment from across the country, including from actors who have portrayed these characters in Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayana'.

"The hairstyle, beard, moustache and dressing manner including appearances are well defined as per the image created in those epics. Any variation of these images by the film producers and directors and actors would certainly hurt the sentiments of worshipers, devotees and religious believers," the petition claims.

The movie stars Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, and Saif Ali Khan in the leading roles of Lord Ram, Sita, and Ravana, respectively.