Marathi movie ‘Har Har Mahadev’ has sparked a row between political parties in Maharashtra, with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) favoring it, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) opposing its screening in theaters. 

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders and former Maharashtra minister Jitendra Ahwad, who protested against the Marathi film Har Har Mahadev and allegedly created a ruckus at a theatre in Thane have been booked for assault and hooliganism.

Ahwad along with over 100 workers was said to have entered the theatre, stopped the screening of the movie, and manhandled the audience who were present at the Viviana mall in Thane.

As reported by ANI, no arrests have been made so far but a case has been registered under various sections of the India Penal Code (IPC).

The NCP has been objecting to the movie saying it is distorting history and facts about Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj.

Thane police registered a case against Ahwad and his supporters based on a complaint filed by a local Thane resident, as reported, by them.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said beating up moviegoers for watching historical Marathi films will not be tolerated and action will be taken against people involved in such incidents.

Apart from BJP, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) also supported the historic Marathi film and challenged Awhad to force the cancellation of the movie in Thane. The movie will be screened in Thane, and Ahwad was challenged by the MNS to stall the screening and criticized the party’s protest against it. “The NCP stopping the screening of the movie is condemnable. The party is trying to give caste color to the movie,” MNS spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande said, in an Indian Express report said.

Ahwad, as quoted by Hindustan Times, said “Shivaji is shown sleeping on a bench while Afzal Khan is stabbing him. The actual history is different; Shivaji always knew Afzal would be stabbing him and he was ready for it. Similarly, the relationship between Bajiprabhu Deshpande and Shivaji is defamed in the movie. People are influenced by the movies and we will not let them change history”.

Sambhaji Chhatrapati, who is a descendant of Shivaji Maharaj, also expressed displeasure over the Marathi film. “Several movies are creating a stir for hurting sentiments. Using the term cinematic liberty, inaccuracies have been displayed in the recently released ‘Har Har Mahadev." he said on Monday.

References:

news18.com