Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s soon-to-release romantic movie ‘Ram-Leela: Goliyon Ki Rasleela’ starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh is in the middle of a controversy due to its title and content. A court in New Delhi has stayed the release of the film.
But producer-director Sanjay Leela Bhansali clarified in a statement issued to the media today (November 13) that the movie’s title is about the characters played by Deepika, Ranveer and has nothing to do with famous mythological story Ramlila and Rasleela.
The court further restrained the producers from using the title ‘Ram-Leela’. A representative suit was filed by three organisations against the release of the movie. Two individuals are also slated to join the petition.
The suit has been filed against director and producer of the movie, Sanjay Leela Bhansali; the production company, Eros International Media Limited; and the Central Board of Film Certification, which granted the film an UA certificate on November 1.
“It appears that some misinformation is being carried out regarding the said Film which I would like to clarify and state that the said Film is inspired and based on work of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” The said Film is neither related to “Ramleela” folklore/traditional performance associated with Lord Ram nor related to “Rasleela” associated with Lord Krishna. I trust that this clarifies all doubts and misgivings,” read the statement.
The statement further read that the film “Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela” has been censored by the Central Board of the Film Certification under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and granted UA Certificate on 01.11.2013.
While staying the release, the court considered the plea that the movie allegedly hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus as it contains sex, violence and vulgarity.
According to the petition, the term “Ramlila” has been historically associated with the plays depicting the life of Hindu god Ram. Since the movie is based on a love story and is not related to the conventional meaning attributed to Ramlila, the petitioners claim that the producers are “deliberately and intentionally” using the term to attain commercial success
