Recently, Indian High Commission in Canada issued a statement on ‘smoking Kaali’ poster by filmmaker Leena Manimekalai, and request the Canadian authorities and the event organizers to withdraw such provoking material.
The High Commission issued a statement saying that they have received complaints from leaders of the Hindu community in Canada about stating “disrespectful depiction of Hindu Gods on the poster of a film showcased as part of the ‘Under the Tent’ project at the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto. Our Consulate General in Toronto has conveyed these concerns to the organizers of the event. We are also informed that several Hindu groups have approached authorities in Canada to take action. We urge the Canadian authorities and the event organizers to withdraw all such provocative material.”
The controversy break out after the filmmaker Leena Manimekalai shared the poster of the film on social media. The poster potrays a woman dressed in the costume of Goddess Kali. She is shown smoking a cigarette in the photo. Along with her usual accoutrements of trishul and sickle, the actor playing the goddess is shown holding the LGBTQ+ community’s pride flag.
Leena Manimekalai after sharing the poster was allegedly receiving lots of taunts. Social media users urge the Aga Khan Museum to take down the poster, where the film was launched.
In the meantime, Leena Manimekalai, the maker of the film has requested the people to watch the movie first before defaming it.
