The makers of the movie Jai Hanuman have found themselves in a legal battle after a case was filed against them for allegedly misrepresenting Lord Hanuman. The film, produced by Mythri Movie Makers and directed by Prasanth Varma, sparked controversy after its teaser was released in October 2024. The issue revolves around the portrayal of Hanuman with a human face instead of the traditional depiction of the Hindu deity.
A high court advocate, Mamidal Thirumal Rao, has filed a case against the producers, the director, and actor Rishab Shetty, who plays Hanuman in the film. Rao claims that the teaser, which featured Shetty as a muscular Hanuman, was offensive and disrespectful. The primary concern, according to the advocate, is that the human face on Hanuman, a revered god in Hinduism, shifts the focus from the divine figure to the actor’s image.
Rao’s complaint centers on the belief that depicting Hanuman as a “mighty king” with a human face downplays the god’s spiritual significance. He argues that the portrayal turns Hanuman into more of a character or celebrity, diminishing the respect usually associated with religious icons. In his view, the image might mislead viewers by emphasizing the actor’s fame, overshadowing the godly essence of Lord Hanuman.
The teaser showed Rishab Shetty with a muscular body, dressed in traditional attire, but with a face that many felt was too human and less divine. Rao believes this choice was made to highlight Shetty’s acting prowess rather than presenting the god in a way that adheres to the respectful traditions followed in religious depictions.
The movie’s producers, Ravi Shankar and Naveen Yerneni of Mythri Movie Makers, have responded to the allegations by expressing their intent to respect Hindu beliefs. However, they maintain that the film’s portrayal of Lord Hanuman was intended to be empowering and respectful. They argue that Shetty’s portrayal is a fictionalized version of the god that showcases his power and resilience.
This legal action adds to the growing list of controversies surrounding the movie industry’s representation of religious figures. It also highlights the delicate balance filmmakers must strike when depicting sacred icons. While creative freedom is a cornerstone of filmmaking, the line between artistic interpretation and respect for religious beliefs can sometimes blur, causing offense to certain communities.
The case was filed at the Nampally Criminal Court, and Rao has urged for legal action to be taken against the filmmakers for what he calls an “offensive” representation of Lord Hanuman. He believes that such portrayals can mislead the public and affect the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus who revere Lord Hanuman.
This legal issue comes at a time when Mythri Movie Makers is already involved in another case related to the Pushpa 2 stampede, which has added to their current troubles. Despite the ongoing legal challenges, the movie Jai Hanuman has garnered attention for its ambitious portrayal of the Hindu god, but this new lawsuit could cast a shadow over its release.
For now, the makers of Jai Hanuman will need to defend their creative choices in court, hoping to resolve the dispute while also respecting the religious sentiments of their audience. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how religious figures are portrayed in Indian cinema in the future.
