Controversy Erupts: Nepali Cities Ban Bollywood Film Over Dialogue Dispute
A Bollywood film has ignited a firestorm of controversy in Nepal, leading to a ban on all Hindi films in Kathmandu and Pokhara, the nation’s capital and second-largest city. The uproar stems from a line of dialogue in the recently released “Adipurush,” a cinematic adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana.
The Bone of Contention: A Character’s Origin
According to a report by New Delhi Television (NDTV), the contentious dialogue refers to a character as “India’s daughter.” This has sparked outrage in Nepal, where the same character is widely considered to be from Nepal in their version of the Ramayana.
Kathmandu’s mayor issued a stern warning on June 18th, stating that the film would cause “irreparable damage” if the offending dialogue was not removed.
Backlash in India
The film has also faced criticism within India, with some viewers decrying its poor special effects and perceived visual similarities to the American television series “Game of Thrones.” Others have criticized the film’s lack of seriousness and perceived disrespect towards the heroic figures of the Ramayana.
Writer’s Defense
In response to the controversy, one of the film’s writers pledged on June 18th to revise certain lines of dialogue. However, the writer also defended the work, stating, “I wrote over 4,000 lines of dialogue for the film, and only about five lines have caused controversy.”
This incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding cultural and religious narratives and the potential for misinterpretations or perceived slights to spark international disputes.