'Lord Hanuman is Not God', Adipurush Writer Manoj Muntashir's Statement Fuels Controversy, Faces Backlash

The controversies surrounding the movie "Adipurush" have not hindered its success at the box office, as it continues to perform exceptionally well. Directed by Om Raut, the film has been a subject of debate since the release of its teaser. Critics and audiences alike have expressed concerns about the quality of visual effects and the fashion choices of the cast. Calls to boycott Bollywood and ban the film have been gaining traction, overshadowing the performances of Prabhas as Lord Rama and Devdutt as Hanuman, which have received mixed reviews.

I will not apologise for what I have done with Adipurush: Manoj MuntashirAnd This is a tight sl@p to all the Hindus and sanatanis by Arrogant Manoj Shukla after defaming our culture and dharma.pic.twitter.com/iLqp9PdpG1

— Dr Nimo Yadav (@niiravmodi) June 18, 2023

A recent statement by Manoj Muntashir, the writer of the film's dialogues, has further fueled the controversy. His remarks defending the dialogues for Lord Hanuman have drawn significant criticism. Muntashir argued that Lord Hanuman's conversational style differs from Lord Rama's because Hanuman is not inherently a deity; rather, he has been deified through human devotion, which holds its own power.

this Manoj Muntashir guy literally saying hanuman ji is not god.. we made him a god.. and sad thing is still some RW peoples supporting this mentally retarded idiot.. shameful 😞 pic.twitter.com/9jkzFReQym

— Cheemrag (@itxcheemrag) June 19, 2023

Muntashir's statement has sparked outrage on social media, with many users expressing their anger and calling for consequences. Some have demanded that he be barred from giving further interviews, while others have requested an investigation into the matter. The prevailing sentiment among critics of Muntashir's remarks is a plea for his silence.

#ManojMuntashirShukla Now I got why Hanuman ji looks like Shoaib Jamai & Ravan as KhiljiI really want a strict action to b taken against Manoj Muntashir Shukla & Om Raut for mocking Hinduism pic.twitter.com/nl1bNEdowk

— Kadak (@kadak_chai_) June 20, 2023

Despite the controversies, "Adipurush" has managed to achieve remarkable success at the box office. Within just four days of its release, the film surpassed the domestic box office collection of 241.10 crores, demonstrating its strong appeal among audiences. However, the film experienced a decline in collections on Monday, which can be attributed to it being a working day. On a global scale, "Adipurush" has amassed an impressive collection of 340 crores, reaffirming its popularity beyond domestic markets.

While "Adipurush" remains embroiled in controversies, its box office performance speaks for itself. The film's success, despite the challenges it has faced, is a testament to the enduring allure of the epic tale it presents. As the film continues its theatrical run, it remains to be seen how it will fare amidst the ongoing debates and the impact of public sentiment.

- PTC PUNJABI