'Kaali' poster: Indian High Commission in Canada urges organisers to 'withdraw provocative material'

Leena Manimekalai took to Twitter to defend herself after facing criticism over the poster of her documentary 'Kaali'. The film has not yet been shown in India.

TN National Desk

Updated Jul 5, 2022, 04:14 IST

Pic courtesy: @LeenaManimekali

Photo : Twitter

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Ajay Gautam, a member of the 'Gau Mahasabha', shared with the media a copy of his police complaint against Leena Manimekalai for allegedly presenting Goddess Kali in a "derogatory and offensive manner" thereby hurting the "religious sentiments of millions of devotees including the complainant"
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shivam Chhabra filed a police complaint with the Delhi Police against filmmaker Leena Manimekalai
"This is embarrassing and infuriating. The poster shared by Leena on Twitter is an insult to Hindu society and our deities," said the BJP leader

New Delhi: In response to a controversy over a poster of a documentary 'Kaali' that was showcased at Aga Khan Museum in Canada's Toronto, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa on Monday urged the organisers to withdraw all provocative material.

According to the High Commission, they received complaints from leaders of the Hindu community in Canada regarding the "disrespectful depiction of Hindu Gods on the poster of a film showcased as part of the 'Under the Tent' project at the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto".

"Our Consulate General in Toronto has conveyed these concerns to the organisers of the event," added the statement.

It further said: "We are also informed that several Hindu groups have approached authorities in Canada to take action. We urge the Canadian authorities and the event organizers to withdraw all such provocative material."

It all started when filmmaker Leena Manimekalai shared a poster of the documentary on social media showing a woman dressed as Goddess Kaali smoking a cigarette.

Despite criticism, Leena Manimekalai said on Monday that she would continue to speak fearlessly.

An online storm has erupted following the release of the poster, with the hashtag 'Arrest Leena Manimekalai' trending, allegations that the filmmaker has hurt religious sentiments, and a member of the Gau Mahasabha saying he has filed a complaint with Delhi Police.

The Toronto-based director hit back, saying: "I have nothing to lose. Till the time I live, I wish to live with a voice that speaks what I believe without fear. If the price for that is my life, it can be given."

In a Twitter post in Tamil in response to an article on the controversy, the Madurai-born filmmaker said: "The film is about the events during Kaali's strolls through the streets of Toronto city one fine evening. If they watch the movie, they will put the hashtag 'love you Leena Manimekalai' rather than 'Arrest Leena Manimekalai'."

Leena Manimekalai shared a poster of "Kaali" on Twitter on Saturday, stating the film was part of the 'Rhythms of Canada' segment at the Aga Khan Museum. Additionally, Manimekalai suggested watching the film to gain a better understanding of how the poster fits into the larger picture.

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