The Allahabad High Court has criticized the makers of the film "Adipurush" for the shameful and vulgar depiction of certain characters. The director, Om Raut, producer Bhushan Kumar, and dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir have been ordered to appear in person before the Court on July 27 and provide personal affidavits explaining their intentions.
The Court has also directed the formation of an expert committee to re-examine whether the film adheres to the original Ramayana, which serves as its main source of inspiration. This committee, consisting of at least five members knowledgeable in Valmiki Ramayana, Tulsikriti Ramcharit Manas, and other religious epics, will assess whether the depiction of Lord Rama, Devi Sita, Lord Hanuman, and Ravan in the film aligns with the original texts. The committee's report is due by July 27.
The Court expressed its dismay at the filmmakers' insensitivity towards the sacredness of the characters and their use of substandard dialogues and vulgar language. It emphasized that individuals cannot invoke freedom of speech and expression to engage in actions that undermine decency, morality, and public order.
The Court also criticized the Censor Board for not fulfilling its legal duty while granting the film a release certificate. It further noted the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's failure to take timely action despite significant public unrest following the film's release.
While the Court acknowledged the grievances of the petitioners, who argued that the film was not an isolated incident and that previous movies had also depicted Hindu deities disrespectfully, it decided to grant an opportunity for the concerned authorities to address the issues before issuing any coercive orders.
The Court called for stringent measures to prevent such incidents from recurring and emphasized that the Competent Authority of the Central Government should take necessary and deterrent action in the interest of the public. However, it allowed the authorities to respond to the grievances raised before taking further action.
The Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has been ordered to submit a report by July 27, stating whether the applicable guidelines for film exhibition were followed in allowing the release of "Adipurush."
The Court's decision came in response to a plea filed by social activists Kuldeep Tiwari and Bandana Kumar, who argued that "Adipurush" raised doubts about the integrity of the revered epic Ramayana and defamed the cultural heritage of Ayodhya and the Hindu religion.
The Central government and the CBFC were represented by Senior Advocate and Deputy Solicitor General of India SB Pandey, assisted by Advocate Ashwani Kumar Singh. The State of Uttar Pradesh was represented by Additional Advocate General Vinod Kumar Shahi, assisted by Chief Standing Counsel Shailendra Kumar Singh and Additional Chief Standing Counsel Vivek Kumar Shukla.
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