From OMG 2 to Adipurush to Kerala Story: Bollywood movies that courted controversies recently

The teaser of the Akshay Kumar starrer OMG 2 was released on Tuesday, July 11, and it is getting a good response from the viewers as well as the critics. However,  many of Akshay Kumar fans are worried that the movie may stir a fresh controversy as the teaser shows Akshay Kumar portraying the role of Lord Shiva. Even a few users on social media warned Akshay Kumar that his upcoming movie should not mock the Hindu gods and goddesses or show the mythological characters in poor light.   

 

 

 

 

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The concerns raised by Akshay Kumar fans seem real due to the recent controversy stirred by Prabhas starrer Adipurush over wrong portrayal of iconic characters from epic Ramayana.  

In the last few years, many Bollywood movies have faced boycotting trends to cancel culture. Actors like Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan have faced sharp criticism for their films. Most of the movies were drawn into controversy over political, religious and moral issues.

Here’s a look at movies embroiled in controversy in recent months:

Adipurush

Prabhas and Kriti Sanon starrer Adipurush stirred a controversy due to multiple issues with the movie.  The Om Raut directorial was accused of wrong portrayal of Hindu gods like Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman. The dialogues of the movie, which is a cinematic adaptation of the epic Ramanayan, drew flak for use of cheap language. Film’s dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir Shukla had to apologise for poor writing and even the makers were forced to change a few dialogues after the release of the movie.  

Pathaan

Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone starrer Pathaan also faced a boycott campaign ahead of its release. The controversy revolved around the colour of the attire worn by Deepika Padukone in ‘Besharam Rang’ song. Even, Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh not only criticised the song but also alleged that the track was filmed with a “dirty mindset”. Many accused the makers and Shah Rukh Khan of insulting Hindu beliefs.     

The Kashmir Files

Vivek Agnihotri directorial The Kashmir Files ignited a political controversy across the country for being a propaganda film. The makers of the movie were accused of portraying the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Jammu and Kashmir in the early 1990s with a communal agenda. While the right wing groups supported the movie and many BJP-ruled states made the film tax free, the opposition parties and activists slammed the makers for its underlying political agenda.

The Kerala Story

The Kerala Story, which was released on May 5, drew criticism for showing Kerala in a wrong manner with a hidden agenda. It not only stirred a political controversy in Kerala but also it was banned in a few states. The Left parties in Kerala and the Congress party also accused BJP of trying to disturb communal harmony in the state through this propaganda movie. The movie revolved around the story of three girls from Kerala who were forced to convert into Islam and join ISIS.

Laal Singh Chaddha

Aamir Khan starrer Laal Singh Chaddha was released in August 2022. Ever since it was released, the movie courted controversy for wrong portrayal of many historical events. A PIL was filed in the Kolkata High Court against the film demanding a complete ban on its release due to objectionable portrayal of Indian Army in the movie. Later it faced protests in Uttar Pradesh regarding Aamir Khan’s previous movie PK’s character mocking of Hindu deities.

PK

PK stood out to be one of the most controversial movies released in 2014. The film faced controversies right after its release at the theatres. It was targeted by Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and many other Hindu groups for allegedly mocking and insulting Hindu deities in the film.