Will Ram Leela's Title Be Changed?

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was on Monday petitioned against the soon-to-be released Bollywood film Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela. In her representation made to Yadav, social activist Urvashi Sharma has urged him to "intervene in the matter related to public exhibition of the film".

Directed and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone starrer Ram Leela is scheduled for November 15 release.

"I have urged the chief minister to intervene on behalf of the people of the state and request the producers of the film to delete Ram Leela from the title of the film and change it to only Goliyon Ki Raasleela," Sharma said.

"And also urge the National Board of Film Ceritification not grant certificate for public exhibition of the film under Sections 4, 5 and 5-A of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, in case producer and director of the film do not delete words Ram Leela from the title of the film.

"This matter is related to the sentiments of lakhs of people of the state and the word Ram Leela is contrary to the content of the film as shown in the promotional advertisement," added Sharma.

The petition to the chief minister states that the film "was affecting the sentiments of the public on account of its wrongful title for the reason that the title has been derived from dramatic enactment of the life of Lord Rama, which cannot be used by the kind of film."

"I have watched one of the promos of the film on YouTube and while watching the clip, many objectionable dialogues and scenes were noticed by me which, according to me as a social activist, are not only vulgar, rude, offensive and crude but degrade the religious feeling of the Hindus," Sharma said.

The social activist has earlier even petitioned both the censor board and the Prime Minister's Office to intervene in this matter.

IANS