Manoj Muntashir says Adipurush’s Hanuman is ‘childlike’, claims there’s a political conspiracy to undermine the movie

Manoj Muntashir explained his characterisation of Hanuman in the film Adipurush. The film's interpretation of the character has attracted controversy significant enough for the makers to alter certain lines of dialogue.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | June 20, 2023 01:21 PM IST

3 min read

Devdatta Nage plays Hanuman in Adipurush.

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Adipurush dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir said that the filmmakers’ decision to alter objectionable lines of dialogue following backlash is a sign of ‘bravery’, considering the ‘logistical nightmare’ of sending a new version out to over 10,000 global screens. Manoj Muntashir was responding to the criticism certain lines have received. In an interview with Aaj Tak, he explained the approach they took on crafting the characters of Hanuman and Lord Rama in the movie, which he previously claimed is only ‘inspired’ by the Ramayana and not an adaptation of it.

He said in Hindi, “When you watch the film, you will have no complaints. You will realise that Hanuman was a childlike character. He wasn’t philosophical like Rama. Yes, Hanuman was wise, he was strong, he was intelligent, but when he spoke, he spoke like a child, and that is how we’ve approached the character. Having said that, my depiction of the character shouldn’t be written in stone.”

Also read | Adipurush box office day collection Day 4: Prabhas’ controversial Ramayana adaptation crashes by 75%, fails Monday test

Audiences have complained about the use of colloquialisms in Hanuman’s dialogue, which Manoj Muntashir and director Om Raut initially explained as a strategy to appeal to the nation’s youth. The filmmakers are willing to take up the massive task of re-dubbing, re-mastering, and re-censoring the movie because they ‘respect the audience’, he said. Claiming that a political conspiracy is afoot to undermine his achievements, he said, “I am a simple man. I am a family man, I live with my parents. What could they possibly have against me? But you will notice that only a certain party’s ministers have raised complaints about me.”

While it’s true that opposition leaders have complained about Adipurush, members of the ruling BJP have also voiced concern about the film’s content. Union minister Anurag Thakur said nobody has the right to hurt the sentiments of people, Union minister of state SP Singh Baghel said those who do not like the movie are free not to watch it. Additionally, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor also demanded a temporary ban on the screening of the movie, until the scenes and dialogues are re-examined. Incidentally, the filmmakers had previously secured the blessings of several BJP leaders prior to the movie’s release.

“Parties and leaders that were previously against Lord Rama and questioned his existence, they protested against the construction of the Ram Mandir, but suddenly they’re projecting themselves as his biggest devotees? People need to understand this,” he said. After a strong performance at the box office over the weekend, Adipurush had a big drop on Monday. The film has made more than Rs 350 crore globally so far.

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