In a significant ruling, a Nepal court has lifted the ban on Hindi films, including the highly anticipated Prabhas-starrer "Adipurush." The court's decision comes in response to a heated controversy surrounding the film and its dialogues, which had led to the ban imposed by Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, according to PTI reports.
The ban was initiated after objections were raised over a dialogue in "Adipurush" referring to Sita as "India's daughter." This sparked concerns regarding Nepal's sovereignty and independence, leading to the ban on all Hindi films in the country.
However, a single bench of the Patan High Court, headed by Judge Dhir Bahadur Chand, issued a short-term order emphasizing that films approved by the country's censor board should not face any screening disruptions.
Bhaskar Dhungana, president of the Nepal Motion Picture Association, expressed relief at the court's decision and stated that the petitioners are awaiting a written order to proceed with the screenings. He confirmed that all movies passed by the censor board, including "Adipurush," will now be screened without hindrance.
The controversy surrounding "Adipurush" and the subsequent ban drew attention not only from the film industry but also from those concerned about the portrayal of Sita. Sita, also known as Janaki, is widely believed to have been born in Janakpur, located in southeast Nepal.
Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, however, remained adamant in his opposition to the film's screening, stating that the matter pertains to Nepal's sovereignty. In a Facebook post, Shah expressed his refusal to comply with the court's order, claiming that it implied Nepal had once been under India's rule.
Following Kathmandu Mayor's ban on "Adipurush," mayors from Dharan and Pokhara also joined the move, resulting in a halt to the film's screenings across Nepal.
"Adipurush," produced by T-Series, Retrophiles, and UV Creations, features an ensemble cast including Saif Ali Khan, Sunny Singh, and Devdatta Nage.
