The producers of ‘Adipurush,’ a controversial film based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, have sent a letter to Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah expressing concern over the moratorium on the film’s theatrical release in the Nepalese capital.
In Nepal and India, the film’s premise and dialogue have sparked controversy.
On June 15, the Mayor of Kathmandu issued a warning that no Indian film would be permitted in the city if the film written and directed by Om Raut and produced by T-Series and Retrophiles failed to rectify the “mistake” regarding Sita’s birthplace.
In a letter sent to Balen Shah on behalf of T-Series on Sunday, the company stated: “To begin with, we apologize if we have in any way offended the people of Nepal… It was never intended or deliberate to cause anyone damage.”
The letter obtained by IANS also stated, “As Indians, the respect of women throughout the world is of the utmost importance to us.”
The Nepalese Censor Board has also decided to withhold filming permission.
“We request that you view the film in its artistic form and that you support the intention of reaching out to large audiences in order to generate interest in our history,” the letter continued.
One day after the mayor’s warning, Kathmandu’s movie theaters ceased showing “Adipurush” for security reasons.
On Sunday, the mayor reaffirmed his opposition to the film and implored theaters not to show it until the filmmakers rectify the purported error.
According to the Ramayana, Sita was born in Janakpur, Nepal, and Lord Rama married her.
In addition to the mayor, several sister organizations of various political parties have protested the film and warned that they will not permit its screening until the filmmakers have rectified the errors.
This is not the first time Mayor Shah has increased nationalist rhetoric.
The Greater Nepal map was displayed in Mayor Shah’s chamber on June 8 to counter the Indian “Akhand Bharat” map placed in the new Parliament building.
The principal opposition, the CPN-UML, has demanded that a diplomatic note be sent to India in protest of the “Akhand” map.
