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

Chaitanya Padukone

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 facing fierce objections from several Hindu groups. The movie which also has the gorgeous Kiara Advani ( of Kabir Singh fame) called Laxmii after offence was taken to associating a derogatory term like bomb with a revered Hindu Goddess and ‘hurting religious sentiments’.

The maverick film, which has in its supporting cast Sharad Kelkar and actor Tusshar Kapoor ( also the co-producer) is slated to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on 9 November in time for Diwali. Incidentally November 14th is Diwali Laxmi-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 Prakash Javadekar emphasising how its followers will boycott the movie across the country. Other Hindu organisations like Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha had alleged that the film promotes love jihad since it is the story of two individuals belonging to different religious communities.

The Rajput Karni Sena 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 Karni Sena had opposed Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat (then titled Padmavati), for distorting history and “dishonouring" Rani Padmini on account of a rumour that the film contained an intimate dream sequence between Rani Padmini and Allauddin Khilji. Director Bhansali and producers Viacom18 had finally decided to change the title.