After Kathmandu, Nepal's Pokhara bans screening of all Indian films over Adipurush's dialogue row

Prabhas and Kriti Sanon starrer Adipurush has been mired with controversies ever since it was released in theatres. The film’s dialogue-’Janaki is the daughter of India’ has offended India’s neighbouring country Nepal. Since it is believed that Sita, the female protagonist of the epic Ramayana, belongs to Nepal where her father King Janak had his kingdom. Due to this, Kathmandu had taken the decision to ban Indian cinema over the infamous dialogue.

In a recent development, Nepal’s Pokhara banned the screenings of all Indian films and replaced them with Hollywood and Nepali films. Balendra Shah, Mayor of Kathmandu, issued the orders three days after giving an ultimatum to the Indian makers to delete a portion of the dialogue which refers to Sita as the daughter of India.

Also read: Adipurush box office Day 3: Prabhas starrer epic drama holds fort strong, crosses Rs 300 crore worldwide 

“Three days ago we had called upon the makers of Adipurush to remove the objectionable section that shows Janaki as an Indian woman. Defence of Nepal’s sovereignty, independence, and self-respect is the first duty of all Nepalese governments, non-governmental organisations and Nepalese citizens. No Indian film will be allowed to be screened in the Kathmandu municipality area till the time this objectionable part is removed from the film,” Balendra Shah said in a statement.

Most recently, Manoj Muntashir, Adipurush’s dialogue writer stated that the objectionable dialogues will be changed.."Our aim was to present the true heroes of Sanatan to our younger generation. There is an objection to 5 dialogues and they will be changed. If people are not liking some parts, then it's our responsibility to fix them,” he had told ANI. Meanwhile, Adipurush starring Prabhas and Kriti Sanon is directed by Om Raut. Backed by T-series and Retrophiles, the film also features Saif Ali Khan, Sunny Singh, Devdutta Nage, Vatsal Sheth and Sonal Chauhan among others. The film hit the theatres on June 16, 2023.