Pratik Gandhi's Bhavai, formerly titled Raavan Leela, landed in trouble after netizens demanded a ban on the release of the film. People raised objections over the alleged portrayal of a love story between Hindu mythological characters Sita and Raavan. Despite a change in title, netizens slammed the makers of Bhavai. Now, with just a few weeks left for Bhavai's release, the makers issued a statement clarifying that the film is a fictional love story between the protagonists and how their lives change off-stage.
"Our film Bhavai is a fictional love story of two individuals, Raja Ram Joshi (Pratik Gandhi) and Rani (Aindrita Ray) working in a drama company and how their life changes off stage. The film promo was released under the title, Raavan Leela, as the protagonist is a drama actor who plays the role of Raavan in the drama. With due respect to the concerns regarding the title of the promo and a dialogue in the promo, we wish to clarify that the dialogue and the above title ‘Raavan Leela’ is not part of the film and has been removed from the promo as well respecting the sentiments of our viewers," the statement read.
We trust this clarifies all the misrepresentations, doubts and misgivings regarding our film #Bhavai!
See you in THEATRES on Oct 1. Watch the film with your friends and family!@pratikg80 @AindritaR @AnkBhatia @gajjarhardik @chirucam #ParthGajjar @jayantilalgada @gada_dhaval pic.twitter.com/WEgmdco4Bz
— PEN INDIA LTD. (@PenMovies) September 20, 2021
The makers added that Bhavai doesn't hurt religious sentiments and it has been cleared by the Censor Board of Film Certification with a U rating. "We have the highest regard for Hindu culture and the Ramayana. The Film and/or any portion thereof does not hurt any religious sentiments or religious beliefs. The film Bhavai has been approved and passed by the Censor Board of Film Certification under the ‘U’ category. We trust that this clarifies and sets at rest all apprehensions, misrepresentations, doubts and misgivings regarding our film Bhavai in various media, including digital media," the makers said in the statement.
Apart from Pratik, Bhavai stars Aindrita Ray, Ankur Bhatia, Abhimanyu Singh, Rajesh Sharma, Ankur Vikal, Rajendra Gupta, Gopal Singh, Flora Saini, Anil Rastogi, Krishna Bisht and Bhagyashree Mote. It is presented by Dr Jayantilal Gada (Pen) and is produced by Dhaval Jayantilal Gada, Aksshay Jayantilal Gada, Parth Gajjar and Hardik Gajjar films in association with Backbencher Pictures. Hardik Gajjar has directed the film. Bhavai will release in theatres on October 1.
(Source: Twitter)