Priests oppose ‘objectionable scenes’ in film shot at Haridwar
HARIDWAR: Priests in Haridwar have come out against a recently released Bollywood film for showing what they say “objectionable scenes” shot in the pilgrim city.
Teerth purohits and the Ganga Sabha, which manages the affairs of Har-Ki-Pauri, have approached state cabinet minister Swami Yatishwaranand, objecting to the scenes showing “consumption of alcohol and non-vegetarian food” along Ganga ghats.
Film ‘Haseen Dilruba’ starring actor Tapsee Pannu was extensively shot near Ganga ghats in Haridwar last year. Most of the scenes were shot at Modi Bhawan near Birla ghat. Local teerth purohits had then welcomed the film star cast and crew. When the film was released, they said the scenes hurt their sentiments.
The Akhil Bharatiya Yuva Teerth Purohit Mahasabha has warned that unless the filmmakers apologise to the people of Uttarakhand, they won’t be allowed to shoot in Haridwar in future.
“We are serving a notice to the filmmakers who have hurt the religious beliefs and sentiments of Ganga devotees. How can they show scenes on consumption of alcohol and non-vegetarian food shot on the banks of Ganga in Haridwar. We have also urged people of Uttarakhand to boycott the movie,” said Ujjwal Pundit, president of the Yuva Teerth Purohit Mahasabha.
Citing municipal bylaws , mayor Anita Sharma said alcohol and non-vegetarian food are prohibited in Haridwar city, particularly on Ganga ghats.
“Showing these prohibited things has hurt the religious sentiments. The scenes give a message to the viewers that such immoral activities can be carried out at Ganga ghats. The filmmakers should apologise and remove such scenes from the film,” said the mayor.
Cabinet minister for rural development Swami Yatishwaranand said he will raise the issue with the chief minister, so that no filmmakers in future depict Uttarakhand in a wrong light.
“Films particularly impact the youth. What the film has shown is not acceptable at all. Haridwar is a city of the sacred Ganga whom we regard as our deity. Ganga ghats are places of worship and such immoral portrayal in the film gives a bad impression to the viewers,” said saintturned-minister Yatishwaranand.
Ganga Sabha president Pradeep Jha has demanded removal of such objectionable content from the film. ”Ganga ghats hold immense spiritual-religious significance for millions of devotees,” he said. “Film producers should ensure that only mythological, social, religious and family-oriented films be shot in the pilgrim city.”
Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti spokesperson Baba Hatyogi said, “Whether it’s film shooting or tourists’ behaviour, all should behave in a manner that is in keeping with the religious significance of the pilgrim city.”
The film unit local line producer, Mayank Singh, could not be contacted for his comments despite repeated calls.