Case filed against Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda and Vineet Kumar Singh for hurting religious sentiments in a newly-released film ‘Jaat’.
The Jalandhar police lodged an FIR under Section 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the trio on Wednesday. It was also filed against the film’s director, Gopichand Malineni, and its producers.
The complainant said that one of the scenes in the film, released on April 10, “deeply hurts the religious sentiments of the entire Christian community”.
He alleged disrespect for Jesus.
The scene in ‘Jaat’ reportedly shows Mr Hooda’s character standing under a crucifix inside a church, right above the holy pulpit, as people are praying. Those reportedly included intimidation and unruly behaviours.
“The director, writer and producer deliberately released this film during the holy month of Good Friday and Easter so that the Christians get angry and riots break out in the entire country and unrest is spread,” alleged the complainant seeking ban on the movie.
Randeep Hooda plays the primary antagonist in the latest action flick by Sunny Deol, ‘Jaat’, with Vineet Kumar Singh, Saiyami Kher, Regina Cassandra, Prashant Bajaj, Zarina Wahab, and Jagapathi Babu comprising his supporting cast.
It also marked the Hindi directorial debut of Mr Malineni, known for Telugu films like “Don Seenu”, “Bodyguard”, and “Veera Simha Reddy”.
The film was released in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and has been produced by Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory. It collected over 32 crores in its first weekend.
On Thursday, Mr Deol confirmed that he will make a comeback with ‘Jaat 2’.
Explanation of Jaat Controversy
For those who are not informed, it landed in controversy soon after its theatrical release. It was criticized by the Christian community for a particular church scene, where the call for a boycott was also there. The scene features Hooda’s character portrayed as evincing signs of violence beneath a crucifix, freshly made with a lit candle beside it, while worshippers are seen praying in the background.
It is said to offend many and is criticized stating that it disrespects Christian beliefs and misrepresents the faith. According to sources, protests are being organized for the screening of this film as some groups plan to protest against it.
Earlier, some community leaders issued a formal request to the Joint Commissioner requesting the authorities to ban the movie. Meanwhile, the makers are yet to break silence regarding the controversy surrounding the film.
The offending scene shows Hooda’s villain, Ranatunga, standing under a crucifix above a church pulpit, arms outstretched, intimidating praying villagers- a visual some say mimics Christ’s crucifixion (Hindustan Times).
He slammed Good Friday of the timing as a “calculated move to spark riots” (The Hindu). Christian groups rallied right outside the Police Commissioner’s office in Jalandhar and submitted a ban memorandum, though police halted theater protests (Livemint). X erupts-“Ban Jaat now!” chants collide with “Censor board’s fault!”.
Jaat is a hundred crore Indian film that features Deol as a Jaat army officer clashing with Hooda’s Sri Lankan gangster in a fictional Andhra village (Times of India). It has taken as much as Rs 61.5 crore in eight days, with a sequel, Jaat 2, announced Thursday (India Today).
The film is going to hit all the right notes with the audiences for some punchy dialogues, Thaman’s score, and Deol’s “dhai kilo ka haath,” but critics call its plot “formulaic” (123telugu.com). Punjabi Christians feel cheated, citing 2024’s 12 religious rows (NCRB).
No response yet from either Deol or Hooda, though the Mythri Movie makers are under pressure-2024 saw 15 film bans in India (CBFC). “Art shouldn’t mock faith,” a Jalandhar priest told The Economic Times. BJP’s silence contrasts MNS’s food row in Mumbai, hinting at political caution (Business Standard).
For India’s 2.8 crore Christians and 140 crore viewers, it becomes a flashpoint wherein it is divide free speech or respect. Will Jaat’s makers be bending on that scene, or will they flare their wings, ready to duel against the FIR?
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