Hyderabad: Telugu film director S.S.Rajamouli has caused a furore by his remarks seen as belittling Hindu faith and revered figures like Hanuman.
The filmmaker, who attained fame with movies like ‘RRR’, ‘Bahubali’, is accused by Hindutva outfits, BJP leaders T.Raja Singh and Madhavi Latha among others of making irreverent remarks on Hanuman at the title launch of his next big-ticket movie ‘Varanasi’ starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Police complaints were also filed against Rajamouli for his comments at the Ramoji Film City on Saturday.
Mints hundreds of crores of money with Hindu gods, themes and scripts but disrespects the faith, Raja Singh said. The firebrand BJP MLA also exhorted the Hindus to boycott films of Rajamouli.
While Rajamouli has so far not responded over the controversy, his PR team too declined to comment on the matter.
On Friday, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) spokesperson Ravinuthala Shasidhar lambasted Rajamouli for refusing to apologise for his sinful remarks, while accusing him of having become arrogant with amassed money.
Rashtriya Vanara Sena, a little-known Hindutva outfit, has filed a complaint against Rajamouli at the Saroornagar police station in Hyderabad, alleging that the director made derogatory remarks about Lord Hanuman, hurting the sentiments of crores of Hindus.
The filmmaker’s statement came after technical glitches prevented the teaser of his movie from being played at the promotional event in Hyderabad.
“I don’t have much faith in God. Minutes back, my dad spoke saying that Hanuman will be there as strength, support in our deeds. When the glitch happened, I got furious and thought, ‘Is this how he benefacts us?’ (sic),” Rajamouli said in Telugu before a huge gathering, and in presence of superstar Mahesh Babu and others.
Rajamouli’s father is noted screenwriter and nominated Rajya Sabha member Vijayendra Prasad, known for films like ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’.
The filmmaker went on to remark that even his wife is in deep devotion to Lord Hanuman, “treating and talking to him like a friend.” “I also got angry with her. Let’s see,” he said
Some time later too, while attempting to play the glimpse once again, Rajamouli, addressing his father, reportedly mentioned Hanuman again, seen as scorn by the Hindutva groups.
On Thursday, Raja Singh released a video disparaging Rajamouli’s commentary, accusing him of amassing millions by showing Hindu gods magnificently on screen in movies like ‘Baahubali’, but showing impertinence towards them in reality.
“If you are a real ‘naastik’ (atheist) then declare so. You have no faith, respect in Hindu religion, then why should Hindus watch your movies?” Singh said, accusing Rajamouli of making such insulting comments on Hindu revered figures like Rama and Krishna earlier too.
Calling him ‘faaltu’ (useless), Singh sought to know if Rajamouli’s enraging comments were a gimmick to improve publicity to his new movie.
The Goshamahal MLA said that Rajamouli should be booked and jailed for his insolence, and urged movie-goers to be aware of his mindset and boycott his films for “teaching him a lesson”.
Another BJP firebrand Madhavi Latha reacted saying that “by showing actor Prabhas lifting a Shivalingam in ‘Baahubali’, you earned crores of money.”
“Have you donated anything to a Shiva temple in gratitude? Then why blame the almighty now?” she said.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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