Why Akshay Kumar’s ‘Laxmmi Bomb’ movie title was forced to change to ‘Laxmii’ ?

ChaitanyaPadukone

The producers of mega-star Akshay Kumar’s horror comedy movie Laxmmi Bomb directed by Raghava Lawrence have decided to alter the film-title . This development was following facingfierce objections from several Hindu groups. The movie which also has the gorgeous KiaraAdvani( ofKabir Singh fame) called Laxmii after offence was taken to associating a derogatory term like bomb with a revered Hindu Goddess and ‘hurting religious sentiments’.

Themaverick film, which has in its supporting cast SharadKelkar and actor TussharKapoor( also the co-producer) is slated to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on 9 November in time for Diwali. Incidentally November 14th is DiwaliLaxmi-Pujan. It is the remake of a Tamil hit called Kanchana and is helmed by original director Raghava Lawrence.

The film has been in the news for its astronomical price acquisition by Disney after it was compelled to skip a theatrical release due to the coronavirus pandemic. Right-wing organisation Hindu Sena had earlier written to Union I & B Minister PrakashJavadekaremphasising how its followers will boycott the movie across the country. Other Hindu organisations like Hindu JanajagrutiSamiti and AkhilBharatiya Hindu Mahasabha had alleged that the film promotes love jihad since it is the story of two individuals belonging to different religious communities.

The RajputKarniSena had demanded a change in the title which they felt the makers had deliberately chosen to ‘lower the dignity’ and ‘show disrespect to the goddess.In 2017, activists of the KarniSena had opposed Sanjay LeelaBhansali’sPadmaavat (then titled Padmavati), for distorting history and “dishonouring" RaniPadmini on account of a rumour that the film contained an intimate dream sequence between RaniPadmini and AllauddinKhilji. Director Bhansali and producers Viacom18 had finally decided to change the title.