‘Kaali’ smoking in film poster sparks row, complaint against director

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jul 4, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

 Digital Desk: A
complaint was made against Indian documentary director Leena Manimekalai
because of a poster for her upcoming movie, "Kaali," which depicts a
lady smoking while masquerading as a Hindu deity. Manimekalai was accused of
hurting Hindu sentiments in the complaint delivered to the Delhi Police on
Monday.

The image, which
features a woman dressed as Goddess Kaali smoking a cigarette, was published on
social media by the filmmaker from Madurai who now resides in Toronto. She is
also holding the pride flag for the LGBTQ community in the background.

Some internet users
were incensed by the banner because they thought it was offensive to religious
sensibilities. They demanded that the poster be taken down. The hashtag
#ArrestLeenaManimekalai soon became popular on Twitter as users demanded that
the director be arrested.

"A filmmaker
named Leena Manimekalai portrays Hindu gods as cigarette users. She is making
fun of Maa Kaali "penned a user.

"I call for Leena
Manimekalai's detention. The disrespect for our goddess, Kali Maa, will not be
tolerated. This time, we support the Tamil government in full.
@beingarun28@TheDeepak2022#ArrestLeenaManimekalai, "a different user said.

"Today, I'm
speaking out in favour of the detention of a video criticising Hinduism. Will
you all be with me?" a another user said in a tweet.

Since then,
Manimekalai has limited Instagram comments. According to a tweet from the
director, the movie was included in the Aga Khan Museum's "Rhythms of
Canada" section in Toronto.

"I'm overjoyed to announce that my most recent movie
will be shown today as a part of "Rhythms of Canada" at the
@AgaKhanMuseum. I'm delighted to be with my CREW "Manimekalai posted the
poster along with it.