Oppenheimer Bhagavad Gita Controversy: Mahabharat Actor Nitish Bhardwaj DEFENDS Slokas Used During S*x Scenes

Nitish Bhardwaj Oppenheimer: Christopher Nolan "Oppenheimer" sparked controversy over a particular scene where the titular character, played by Cillian Murphy, engages in sexual activity while reciting verses from the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture.

The scene has divided social media. Nitish Bharadwaj, renowned for his portrayal of Lord Krishna in BR Chopra's "Mahabharata," has now shared his reaction to the controversy.

Mahabharat actor Nitish Bharadwaj defends slokas used during the s*x scene in Oppenheimer

Speaking with ETimes, Nitish defended that scene in Christopher Nolan's film. He said, "When Oppenheimer created the atom bomb and it was used to kill most of Japan's population, he was himself questioning whether he did his duty properly."

"His famous interview showed him in tears, which means that he had probably regretted his own invention. He probably saw that his invention would destroy the human race in the future and he was probably remorseful."

Nitish added, "The use of this verse in the film should also be understood from Oppenheimer's emotional state of mind. A scientist thinks of his creation 24x7x365 days, irrespective of what he is doing. His mind space is consumed fully by his creation and the physical act is just a natural mechanical act."

Further, Nitish stated: "I appeal to people to think of this emotional aspect of Oppenheimer's important moments in life. Isn't he proved correct that now we see all the explosive technologies killing our own race - for human greed of territorial and commercial superiority, without any sense of larger duty as an individual or a nation or a planet?"

He then continued saying, "The situation today is the same as in Kurukshetra, which is why the Brahmins and Kshatriyas consciously did not propagate the Veda of warfare - Dhanurveda. The UN must enforce nuclear disarmament seriously. Nolan's message is loud and clear."

What happens in the Oppenheimer lovemaking scene?

Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, is shown having intercourse with a psychologist, Jean Tatler (Florence Pugh), wherein she asks him to read a verse from Sanskrit book whose title or cover is not visible. The verse reads: "Now, I am become Death, destroyer of the world."

Bhagavad Gita influence on J Robert Oppenheimer

J Robert Oppenheimer, who was 'the father of the atom bomb' not only learned Sanskrit but was also influenced by the Bhagavad Gita. He recited a verse from the Bhagavad Gita when describing the first detonation of a nuclear weapon on July 16, 1945: "I am become death, destroyer of worlds."