After an outpour of flak, Pratik Gandhi’s Raavan Leela is now named ‘Bhavai’. Further, the makers have also removed the controversial dialogue from trailer. The dialogue that previously appeared in the final moments of the film’s trailer irked a slew of people and their religious sentiments.

Bhavai filmmakers also issued a statement wherein they claimed that they have utmost respect for people’s religious sentiments. They added that the film is a love-story of two actors and that the film received a U certificate from the film board.

Contents hide
1. Details
2. The Facts of the Matter
3. Film’s Name & Dialogue in Trailer Irks Indian Audience
4. “Raavan Leela’ Not Part of Film, Removed from Promo”
5. Film Approved by Censor Board, Film Doesn’t Hurt Religious Sentiments
6. “Will Changing Name Solve Anything?” Pratik Gandhi’s Introspective Question

Details

Although creative liberty is given to films and books, there are times when stretching such liberties end up being a challenge to the content creator. Back in 2013, prolific filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali received pushback on his film’s title ‘Ram-Leela’.

Claiming that the title had hurt their religious sentiments, leaders of various Hindu factions had given Bhansali several death threats. Soon, he had to change the film’s name to ‘Goliyon Ki Rasleela’.

Recently, Scam 1992’s Pratik Gandhi’s upcoming film Raavan Leela created similar uproar which led to the filmmaker change its title. Here are the facts of the matter.

The Facts of the Matter

After gaining critical acclaim for his roles in Gujarati films, Pratik Gandhi was lauded for his role of stockbroker and fraudster Harshad Mehta in Scam 1992. The actor is all set to appear in a new film that is set to release on October 1.

Film’s Name & Dialogue in Trailer Irks Indian Audience

However, before the film could be released, it received flaks on multiple fronts from Indian netizens. The film’s earlier title ‘Raavan Leela’ was panned by audience as it appeared to be glorifying the antagonist of epic Ramayana.

Further, a dialogue in the film’s trailer also received negative feedback from people who claimed that their religious sentiments were hurt.

Earlier this week, the filmmakers released a statement wherein they announced that they changed the name of the film to ‘Bhavai’. Further, they also announced that they have removed the dialogue which received the widespread panning from the trailer.

“Raavan Leela’ Not Part of Film, Removed from Promo”

Taking to Twitter, the film’s production company Pen Studios wrote, “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 the viewers”.

Film Approved by Censor Board, Film Doesn’t Hurt Religious Sentiments

Further, the filmmakers added, “We have the highest regard for the Hindu culture and the Ramayana. The Film and’/or any portion thereof does not hurt any religious sentiments or religious beliefs”.

Moreover, it was also claimed that the film has been “approved and passed by the Censor Board of Film Certification under the ‘U’ category”.

It was also clarified that the film is set in the backdrop of a drama company where Pratik Gandhi and Aindrita Ray’s characters fall in love, and how their lives transform off the stage.

“Will Changing Name Solve Anything?” Pratik Gandhi’s Introspective Question

Earlier, Pratik also spoke to Press Trust of India and claimed that as the film isn’t showing any interpretation of Ram or Ravan in the film, they were okay changing the name. “But I’m sure that’s not the answer to the broader question. We changed the name, but will that solve anything?” Gandhi added.

Watch Bhavai’s Trailer Here: