After accusations of romance between Ravana and Sita, Bhavai makers issue clarification

There was a lot of conversation around actor Pratik Gandhi’s upcoming Hindi film, Bhavai, when the trailer for the film dropped. The film tells the story of a play based on the Ramayana being held in a small town. Pratik Gandhi’s character plays the role of Ravana. However, the film has been trolled on social media for showing an alleged relationship between Sita and Ravana and also supposedly misinterpreting the Ramayana.

The makers of Bhavai have issued a statement. “Our film Bhavai is a fictional love story of two individuals, Raja Ram Joshi (Pratik Gandhi) and Rani (Aindrita Ray) working in a drama company and how their life changes off stage. The film promo was released under the title, Raavan Leela, as the protagonist is a drama actor who plays the role of Raavan in the drama. With due respect to the concerns regarding the title of the promo and a dialogue in the promo, we wish to clarify that the dialogue and the above title ‘Raavan Leela’ is not part of the film and has been removed from the promo as well respecting the sentiments of our viewers,” a statement from Pen Movies read.

“We have the highest regard for Hindu culture and the Ramayana. The Film and/or any portion thereof does not hurt any religious sentiments or religious beliefs. The film Bhavai has been approved and passed by the Censor Board of Film Certification under the ‘U’ category. We trust that this clarifies and sets at rest all apprehensions, misrepresentations, doubts and misgivings regarding our film Bhavai in various media, including digital media,” it added.

“We aren’t showing any interpretation of Ram or Ravan in the film. The film is not at all about it. That’s why the team thought that if sentiments of a certain section of the society are hurt, we don’t mind changing the name if that satisfies them. But I’m sure that’s not the answer to the broader question. We changed the name, but will that solve anything?” Pratik Gandhi had told PTI last week.