The capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, has recently imposed a ban on the screening of popular Indian films, following the release of a movie that drew inspiration from the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana. The film in question, ‘Adipurush,’ has faced criticism for its dialogues, prompting critics to take issue with its content. Released globally in Hindi and four other Indian languages on Friday, the film’s lines of dialogue have ignited a heated debate. As a result, the mayor of Kathmandu decided to impose a ban on Indian films, causing a stir in the entertainment industry. This article delves into the details of the controversy surrounding ‘Adipurush’ and the subsequent ban on Indian films in Nepal’s capital.
The Genesis of the Conflict
‘Adipurush’ draws its inspiration from the Ramayana, an ancient Hindu epic that revolves around King Rama’s quest to rescue his kidnapped wife, Sita. Although Sita is thought to have been born in Janakpur, a southern Nepalese district, the movie implies that she was actually born in India. This particular aspect of the film has triggered anger and resentment in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Before the film’s release, Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah expressed his concerns, stating that if the contentious section remained, the film would not be screened. Consequently, the censors edited the dialogue in question for the Nepali audience. However, since the film remained unaltered outside Nepal, Mayor Shah decided to expand the ban as a form of protest.
The Ban on Indian Films
Mayor Balendra Shah took to social media to justify his decision, stating that banning only ‘Adipurush’ in the Kathmandu municipality while allowing its screening in other parts of the country and abroad would establish a misleading fact. He declared that the screening of any Indian film would be prohibited in Kathmandu municipality starting Monday unless the objectionable part was removed from the film. This ban not only affects ‘Adipurush’ but also impacts the screening of other Indian films in the capital.
Reactions and Challenges
The film’s distributor in Nepal, Shree Byankatesh Entertainment, revealed that cinemas in several other cities and towns had postponed the screening of ‘Adipurush’ due to alleged security concerns. Nakim Uddin, the founder of QFX Cinemas, Nepal’s largest cinema chain, announced their intention to challenge the ban. Uddin informed AFP that the ban had disrupted the screening of Indian films in Kathmandu, and they were taking the matter to court.
Controversies in India
‘Adipurush’ has not only faced controversy in Nepal but has also courted criticism in India. Certain depictions in the film, including those of the monkey deity Hanuman, Rama, and Sita, have generated debate and scrutiny. To address the concerns raised, screenwriter Manoj Muntashir Shukla and the film’s producers have pledged to change some “objectionable” dialogues. Shukla took to Twitter to clarify that out of the over 4,000 dialogues he had written for ‘Adipurush,’ only a few had caused offence.
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Past Bans and Political Motivations
Nepal has previously imposed bans on Indian films. In response to concerns about its assertion that Buddha, who is thought to have been born in Nepal, was actually born in India, the Bollywood film “Chandni Chowk to China” was banned in 2009. Similar to this, a hardline Communist party urged cinemas to stop showing Bollywood films in 2012 in an effort to reduce what they perceived to be New Delhi’s influence in Nepal.
The release of ‘Adipurush’ has sparked significant controversy in Nepal, leading to the ban on Indian films in Kathmandu. The film’s depiction of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, particularly the place of birth of Sita, has raised objections from critics. The ban has prompted discussions on freedom of expression, cultural sensitivities, and the relationship between Nepal and India. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the ban will be received by the public and whether it will be challenged in court.
