Screening of Indian films halted in Kathmandu due to Adipurush controversy

The Mayor of Kathmandu, Balendra Shah, issued a directive on June 18 instructing all cinema halls in Nepal's capital to cease screening Bollywood films. This decision came after Mr. Shah's ultimatum to the Indian producers of the film Adipurush, urging them to remove a dialogue that referred to Sita as the "daughter of India."

Mr. Shah argued that the dialogue was misleading since Sita is believed to be the daughter of King Janak of Janakpur, Nepal. This controversy marks the latest development surrounding the film, which has been embroiled in a series of disputes over controversial dialogues.

"Three days ago, we requested the makers of Adipurush to remove the objectionable section portraying Janaki as an Indian woman. Defending Nepal's sovereignty, independence, and self-respect is the primary duty of all Nepalese governments, non-governmental organizations, and citizens. No Indian film will be allowed to be screened in the Kathmandu municipality until this objectionable part is removed from the film," stated Mr. Shah.

The Sita controversy adds to the ongoing disagreements between Nepal and India, which have faced disputes such as the Kalapani territorial issue. Nepal takes pride in its connection to Sita, the female protagonist of the epic Ramayana, as Janakpur in Nepal is considered her birthplace and the kingdom of her father, King Janak. These issues have strained bilateral relations, with the recent controversy over the depiction of Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, as part of ancient Indian territory in the mural of Akhand Bharat in the new Parliament of India.

Contentious matters regarding Indian films in Nepal are not uncommon, despite the presence of influential Bollywood figures with Nepali roots, such as Manisha Koirala and singer Udit Narayan, who often act as cultural ambassadors between the two countries. In 2000, Nepal experienced riots and protests over reported anti-Nepal comments by film actor Hrithik Roshan, although he later denied making such remarks. The fallout from that controversy strained Nepal's ties with Bollywood for a significant period.

Nepal considers both Lumbini and Janakpur integral to its cultural identity, as these places hold historical and mythical significance in the shared Nepal-India culture, encompassing both Hinduism and Buddhism.

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