New Delhi: Filmmaker Leena Manimekalai has been stranded in legal complications after a police grievance was honed upon her for hurting religious sentiments of Hindus through a poster of her documentary movie ‘Kaali’ in which Goddess Kali is shown smoking.

The film's poster depicted a woman dressed in an outfit rendering the goddess Kali dragging a cigarette, and then in one hand, she is holding the LGBTQ community flag in the background. The portrayal of Goddess Kali in the poster received flak from social media users who mandatory wanted the poster to be withdrawn as it hurt the emotions of Hindu devotees.

Some even demanded veracious action against her, and the hashtag ‘#ArrestLeenaManimekal’ is already trending on Twitter. A lawyer from Delhi, Vineet Jindal, registered a complaint against Leena over the controversial poster. He has demanded a complete ban on the objectionable photo and the documentary clip.

According to him, a woman dressed as Goddess Kaali smoking a cigarette is “hurting the sentiments and beliefs of the Hindu community. ”Gau Mahasabha member Ajay Gautam has also filed a complaint against Leena.

After facing flak over her poster, Leena took to Twitter and defended herself. Urging people to choose ‘love over hate’ amid the negative feedback, she tweeted, “The film revolves around the events that take place one evening when Kali appears and strolls the streets of Toronto. If you see the picture, don’t put the hashtag “arrest Leena manimekalai” and put the hashtag ‘love you Leena manimekalai.’ Several films and shows have gotten into trouble for hurting religious sentiments.

Anurag Basu’s ‘Ludo’ faced Twitteratis’ ire for purportedly promoting ‘Hinduphobic’ content in the movie. In 2021, Saif Ali Khan-starrer web series ‘Taandav’ raked up a row for creating a possibility of religious tension by portraying Hindu Gods in a bad light. 

Why is it always only the Hindu God insulted in movies?

Because of the following reasons :

1. The script of the Indian movies is doctored so that it does not offend any of the Abrahamic religions like Christianity and Islam, as they have Laws and clauses in place that deal with Blasphemy or make fun of their religion. So the Secular approach dents such a kind of objective portrayal in Indian cinemas.
2. The Hindus, on the contrary, are Liberal, and they won't even mind abusing the local Hindus, their Religious customs, Gods, Festivals, Way of Life, etc. They make Big bucks out of such movies — PK in 2014, a Hindi film, is the Best example.
3. If any Christian or Islamic beliefs are made fun of or used in movies — The International Community will condemn such a Movie, and its release or screening shows will be Banned in Many Countries abroad.
4. Online hosting can also be hacked and sabotaged by different religious people. In contrast, if it is Hinduism, they will Enjoy and even Pay to watch it & download the HD quality version.
5. Hindus don't have any strict Blasphemy laws

   or sentiments towards their Gods and Goddesses & Religious beliefs as the New Generation of Hindus does not seem

   too keen or interested in following the Ancient Hindu beliefs like Caste, creed, worship, superstitions, etc.
6. Targeting Hindus is usually done by those who wish to portray Hinduism in poor light so that they can encourage Soul harvesting and converting the Infidels through movies.

Insults of Hindus and Hindu Gods have been mainstreamed through art, literature, and cinema. Hundreds and thousands of times and still continuing despite mass outrage against it.

There have been many instances across the country and also abroad when derogatory remarks were made about Hindus and Hindu Gods. 

(With inputs from ANI)