A new legal battle has emerged for the makers of Jai Hanuman, with a case filed against them for allegedly offending religious sentiments. Advocate Mamidal Thirumal Rao has accused the producers, including Mythri Movie Makers, director Prasanth Varma, and actor Rishab Shetty, of portraying Lord Hanuman with a “human face” in the film’s teaser. The case, filed at the Nampally Criminal Court, claims that the depiction distorts the traditional image of the deity, placing more emphasis on Shetty’s human face rather than the divine figure.
Case Details and Allegations
Thirumal, who raised the matter in a recent press conference, criticized the teaser released on October 30, 2024. He argued that the portrayal of Hanuman with a human face, as seen in the teaser and promotional poster, was inappropriate and disrespectful. “The teaser shows Rishab Shetty in a muscular pose as a mighty king, but with a human face. This distorts Lord Hanuman’s divine image,” Thirumal stated.
He expressed concern that such portrayals could mislead younger generations into believing that Hanuman and other deities, such as Ganesh and Varaha Swami, are human figures, potentially encouraging other filmmakers to manipulate divine depictions for commercial gain.
Response to Allegations
In his legal petition, Thirumal cited international depictions of Lord Hanuman to argue how the traditional image of the deity is revered worldwide. The advocate’s case hinges on the belief that such portrayals would encourage cinematic liberties that may erode the religious significance of deities in future films.
About Jai Hanuman
Jai Hanuman is a sequel to the 2024 film HanuMan, which follows an underdog gaining superpowers from Hanuman. The sequel features Teja Sajja and Rana Daggubati, continuing the divine narrative with a new storyline.
Mythri Movie Makers’ Ongoing Legal Battles
This legal action adds to the pressure faced by Mythri Movie Makers, who recently secured partial relief in the Pushpa 2 stampede case. The incident, which occurred during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule in December 2024, resulted in the tragic death of a woman and the hospitalization of her son. While the police have been instructed not to arrest the producers, the case remains ongoing.
As Jai Hanuman continues to generate buzz, the filmmakers will have to address this legal challenge, which could have wider implications for the portrayal of religious figures in cinema.
