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After protests, Mrunmayee Deshpande’s film returned with a new name

The release of the film on October 10 had been followed by protests across cinemas in the state. Shows were halted in many halls in Pune before the film was withdrawn by its makers.

Fitting a Diwali release, Tu Bol Na is described by its creators as a “light-hearted, contemporary story of Manva and Shlok, two independent individuals questioning traditional ideas of marriage. (@tusharjoshiii/YouTube)

A film about two people’s search for love, Tu Bol Na hit the screens on October 16, a week after it was released under its original name, Manache Shlok.

The release of the film on October 10 had been followed by protests across cinemas in the state. Shows were halted in many halls in Pune before the film was withdrawn by its makers.

Manache Shlok is also the name of a collection of 205 shlokas written by Samarth Ramdas Swami about the mind and the development of spiritual qualities and devotional strength. The organisation, Shri Samarth Seva Mandal, took offence to the name of the film.

In a statement, the organisation had said, “If this name is used in the film for entertainment or some fictional plot and the story contains any scenes, dialogues or presentations that are inconsistent with the tradition of saints, obscene or distorted, then it will be a direct insult to the work of the national saint Shri Samarth Ramdas Swami and the tradition of saints.” They demanded that the name be changed.

When the film was shown, crowds gathered in and around halls in Kothrud and Dhayari, among others, and asked for the screenings to be halted. Police were called in. Cinema managers complied with the demands of the protestors, for the sake of safety.

Directed by Mrunmayee Deshpande, the film stars her, Rahul Pethe, Suvrat Joshi and Siddharth Menon, among others. After the protests, Deshpande had posted on social media, “The incidents during the screening of our film, Manache Shlok, in Pune, Sambhajinagar and western Maharashtra…have saddened us. In view of the events, we have decided to stop the screening of this film across Maharashtra. We will release this film with a new name on October 16. The film will be shown again.”

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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