With the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh demanding a preview of Nitesh Tiwari’s big-budget mythological epic Ramayana, experts said the upcoming slate of mythological films could be at risk.
While the pipeline that includes titles such as Mahakali, Mahavatar and Adhira is sure to draw attention, given the connection with Indian traditions and sentiments, controversies over casting, costumes, chronology, violence and the portrayal of women and communities may arise.
The possible consequences include a social-media backlash and legal notices impacting the marketing, distribution, release schedules and costs of high-profile films that could fall prey to demands of religious outfits and fringe groups even though they have no legal right to stop them.
According to media reports, Shri Ramlila Mahasangh issued a warning to the Ramayana makers, requesting a special screening before the expected release in November to avoid inaccurate depictions similar to those in the 2023 film Adipurush.
In a letter addressed to director Tiwari and the production house, Arjun Kumar Singh, president of the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh, recalled that the earlier film triggered objections from members of the Sanatan community and those associated with traditional Ramlila performances. He added that the Sangh had received information that Ramayana may contain scenes that could hurt the sentiments of Hindus living in India and abroad.
The Mahasangh coordinates hundreds of Ramlila committees that stage the epic in the National Capital Region every year. The leader of the Shri Ramlila Mahansangh told Mint the organization was concerned after watching the Ramayana trailer.
“Some of the costumes shown in the film weren’t in use in that period. We’ve asked for the film to be shown to us before release so we can point out if there are inaccuracies and they can be corrected. That way, the film will run and no feelings will be hurt,” Singh said.
He added that gods and goddesses can't be depicted inaccurately. The organization is waiting for the Ramayana makers to get back, and they may stage protests if there is no response.
“The sensitivity is considerably greater because filmmakers are dealing with characters and narratives which a large section of the audience does not regard merely as mythology or literature, but as part of a living religious and cultural tradition,” said Ankit Sahni, partner at Ajay Sahni & Associates, a law firm in New Delhi. “Even seemingly small creative liberties—a dialogue, costume, depiction of a deity, invented sequence or characterization—can therefore become contentious.”
Prime Focus Studios, makers of Ramayana, did not respond to Mint's queries.
Matter of perception
The added difficulty is that there is not necessarily one universally accepted version of these stories. There are different textual, regional and devotional traditions. What one group may regard as legitimate creative interpretation, another may regard as a distortion, Sahni pointed out.
The risk increases when filmmakers alter a well-established aspect of a deity or mythological character, particularly their conduct, relationships, appearance, dialogue or the fundamental events associated with them, according to Avadhi Joshi, founding partner of Minara Legal.
Objections can come from religious and community organizations, sect-specific bodies, cultural groups and occasionally, political outfits, Joshi added. None of these private groups has a legal right to pre-clear a film.
The practical problem, however, is timing. Even an unsuccessful complaint can result in petitions, demands for changes, security concerns for theatres or pressure around the release date. For large films, certification therefore cannot be treated as a last-minute formality, Joshi pointed out.
The risk is substantial because mythological narratives are linked to faith, worship, regional traditions and differing textual interpretations, agreed Alay Razvi, managing partner at Accord Juris. No law requires a film to be privately screened for groups with objections before release. A voluntary preview may reduce risk, but it cannot make them unofficial certifying authorities.
“Mythological films carry an additional layer of risk because audiences do not view these characters purely as fictional IP,” said Rohit Dalmia, chairman and managing director, CineNow, an entertainment financing platform. “Creative interpretations involving appearance, dialogue, costumes or changes to scripture can quickly become questions of religious sentiment. That can translate into social-media backlash, legal petitions, demands for changes or even protests around release.”
Adequate lead time
According to experts, for producers and distributors of such films, the principal concern should be adequate lead time. A major release should ideally leave sufficient buffer for certification, modifications that may be required and the possibility of last-minute litigation. This becomes particularly important where several language versions are to be released simultaneously.
Film producer Anand Pandit said storytellers must be careful with research and historical accuracy and do their best to not hurt the sensibilities of the audience. Creative liberties too must be taken with some amount of artistry.
And because vast sums of money, time and human toil are invested in a project, distributors and exhibitors must plan right from the pre-production stage to avoid issues later on. From a business and logistical standpoint, careful preparation is essential.
Once the Central Board of Film Certification clears a film, it should be safeguarded from elements who may not be fully cognizant of what the film is all about. After certification, if issues arise, maintaining proactive dialogues with community stakeholders and relying on the law-and-order machinery can help to safely deliver a seamless, enjoyable cinematic experience, according to Pandit.
“Films rooted in mythology and cultural traditions may require greater sensitivity as interpretations and audience sentiments can vary across markets. From an exhibitor’s perspective, the priority is preparedness—training frontline and security staff to handle situations professionally, maintaining clear communication with distributors and local teams, and addressing concerns through the appropriate channels,” said Sameer Munshi, chief operating officer of Miraj Entertainment Ltd.