Factual Matrix 

Adipurush should not be allowed in theatres, according to a Hindu Sena lawsuit filed in the public interest. There have been claims that the film has a number of contentious moments that even have an impact on India’s relations with neighbouring nations. Indian foreign relations are impacted by the movie. Even Nepal has outlawed the movie.

On June 16, the film, which stars Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan, and Kriti Sanon, was released in theatres. Since then, a number of people have voiced concerns about the movie’s speech and its portrayals of legendary figures like Hanuman and Ravana. Hindu Sena National President Vishnu Gupta submitted the current PIL to the Delhi High Court in an effort to get the movie halted. According to the complaint, the film’s portrayal of Hindu deities and figures including Lord Rama, Sita, Hanuman, and Ravan is inconsistent with how they are described in the epic Ramayana. The petition said that Saif Ali Khan’s portrayal of Ravana is entirely divorced from “Indian civilisation” and that his beard is “hurting the sentiments of Hindu community as the Hindu Brahmin Ravana is shown making ghastly in a wrong manner,” which is “hurting the Hindu community’s sentiments.

Further, it was maintained in the argument that as they are primarily religious leaders or characters, the film producers, actors, and directors cannot be free to commercialise the religious leaders or characters, their faces, personalities, and appearances, even their hair. This is a flagrant breach of Article 25 of the Indian Constitution’s protections for religious freedom. Additionally, it was asserted that Hindus have a unique perspective on the pictures of Ram, Sita, and Hanuman and that any alteration or tampering by movie producers, directors, or performers would be a violation of their fundamental rights. The petition said that until the film’s producers and directors take corrective action, such feature films should not be allowed to be seen in public.

Analysis of Court Decision 

A public interest lawsuit that sought to have the movie Adipurush banned was denied an urgent hearing by the Delhi High Court vacation bench of Justices Tara Vitasta Ganju and Amit Mahajan. The issue, according to the court, is not urgent and will be decided on June 30.