An Indian-origin filmmaker, Leena Manimekalai, has defended the poster of her new documentary, Kaali, even after a Hindu group filed a police complaint against her in Delhi. The poster of Manimekalai’s documentary has evoked angry reactions from Hindus on social media since their goddess has been shown smoking with an LGBT flag in the background.
Sharing the poster of the documentary, Manimekalai tweeted, “Super thrilled to share the launch of my recent film – today at @AgaKhanMuseum
as part of its “Rhythms of Canada”…. Feeling pumped with my CREW.”
Super thrilled to share the launch of my recent film – today at @AgaKhanMuseum as part of its “Rhythms of Canada”
Link: https://t.co/RAQimMt7LnI made this performance doc as a cohort of https://t.co/D5ywx1Y7Wu@YorkuAMPD @TorontoMet @YorkUFGS
Feeling pumped with my CREW❤️ pic.twitter.com/L8LDDnctC9
— Leena Manimekalai (@LeenaManimekali) July 2, 2022
The poster drew angry reactions from Hindus on Twitter and a known Hindu group asked the Delhi Police to take action against the filmmaker, who was born in Tamil Nadu, but now resides in Canada.
One user wrote, “Himmat hai to Ayesha ko cigarette Peete dikha behen.” Another commented, “Girls like you are a blot on the society. Be thankful that you have made fun of the faith of Hindus, otherwise you know what the people of other religions would have done to you till now. Maa Kali bless you.”
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However, the filmmaker also received support as one wrote, “Thats creative! Kaali standing for freedom / liberalism instead of locking one’s self in a set of stupid rules made by social pressure. ‘BE YOU’ is the message from this Kaali, I take.”
Reacting to the police complaint and angry reactions, Manimekalai said that she was willing to pay the price but not stop speaking without fear. “I have nothing to lose. I want to be with a voice that speaks without fear of anything until it is. If the price is my life, I will give it,” she tweeted.
