Adipurush’s Nepal release stalled amid protests against ‘Sita is daughter of India’ dialogue, mayor threatens to ban Hindi films

“Until and unless the slogan ‘Janki is a daughter of India’ contained in the South Indian film Adipurush is not true not only in Nepal but also in India, no Hindi film will be allowed to run in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Three days have been given to correct this. Hail to Mother Sita,” Mayor Balen wrote in a tweet. Reporter Rahul Raut later tweeted that “The Nepal censor board has passed the film after the controversial dialogue which claimed Sita is India’s daughter was removed from the movie.. The film, however, is still expected to face some backlash in Kathmandu tomorrow!”

दक्षिण भारतीय फिल्म ‘आदिपुरुष’मा समावेश ‘जानकी भारतीय छोरी हुन्’ भन्ने सब्द जबसम्म नेपालमा मात्र नभै भारतमा पनि सच्चिदैन तब सम्म काठमाडौ महानगर पालिका भित्र कुनै पनि हिन्दी फिल्म चल्न दिइने छैन ।
यो सच्याउन ३ दिनको समय दिइएको छ ।
माता सीताको जय होस । pic.twitter.com/4VwEhEgOki

— Balen Shah (@ShahBalen) June 15, 2023

On Friday, he tweeted, “The Adipurush controversy is gaining momentum in Nepal.. The morning shows have been CANCELLED in the Kathmandu valley due to security concerns.. KTM Mayor @ShahBalen and thousands of Nepali Janata are demanding that the particular dialogue which claims Janaki is India’s daughter be removed from the movie EVERYWHERE… Although the meeting with exhibitors is currently underway, it’s still unclear when the film will start screening in cinemas.” He added that there has been no official word from director Om Raut or the producers T-Series yet.

The #Adipurush controversy is gaining momentum in Nepal.. The morning shows have been CANCELLED in the Kathmandu valley due to security concerns.. KTM Mayor @ShahBalen and thousands of Nepali Janata are demanding that the particular dialogue which claims “Janaki is India’s…

— Rahul Raut (@Rahulrautwrites) June 16, 2023

Nepalese cinema chain OFX Cinemas was quoted by IANS as saying, “Keeping the security of our viewers, QFX is not going to show Adipurush… We are waiting for the government’s decision. As soon as this issue is resolved, we will issue another notice and apologise for the inconvenience to our viewers.” However, tickets for Adipurush are still available on the chain’s website.

Adipurush debuted across the world on Friday. Also starring Kriti Sanon, Sunny Singh and Saif Ali Khan, the film is expected to earn more than Rs 130 crore on its opening day, according to trade analyst Manobala Vijayabalan.