Delhi court issues summons to filmmaker Leena Manimekalai over Kaali row

A Delhi Court has issued a summons to filmmaker Leena Manimekalai and others on a suit seeking to restrain her from depicting goddess Kali smoking a cigarette.

 

 

A case was filed against Manimekalai for depicting the Hindu goddess in a very ‘uncalled manner’ and for the poster and promotional video of the film that showed the goddess smoking a cigarette.The plaintiff has filed the suit for permanent and mandatory injunction against Manimekalai and others.

 

According to the plaintiff, the poster of the film hurts religious sentiments and is against the basic principles of morality and decency. Further, the complainant alleged the poster was tweeted by Manimekalai from her Twitter handle.

 

The court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 6.

 

A massive controversy erupted after filmmaker Leena Manimekalai shared the poster of the film on social media. The poster depicts a woman dressed in the costume of goddess Kali. She is seen smoking a cigarette in the photo. Along with her usual accoutrements of trishul (trident) and sickle, the actor playing the goddess is shown wielding the LGBTQ+ community's pride flag.

 

Multiple FIRs have now been filed across India against Leena Manimekalai for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus.

 

Though Manimekalai said the documentary was about a woman strolling in the streets of Canada’s Toronto, several right-wing groups took offence and multiple complaints were lodged against her, which finally led to Canada’s Aga Khan Museum removing the presentation of the documentary.