"I Am Ashamed": Manoj Muntashir Labels Adipurush The "Biggest Mistake" Of His Life Three Years Post-Release
Three years after the controversial release of Om Raut's Adipurush, renowned lyricist and screenwriter Manoj Muntashir Shukla has publicly expressed profound remorse for his involvement in the film. The 2023 mythological adaptation—which starred Prabhas as Lord Ram, Kriti Sanon as Sita, and Saif Ali Khan as Ravana—faced severe public backlash across India for its controversial dialogues, inaccurate character depictions, and substandard visual effects. Reflecting on the nationwide uproar, Muntashir issued an unconditional public apology, admitting that contributing to the project and subsequently attempting to justify its creative choices were the greatest blunders of his career.
Dialogue Writer Expresses Embarrassment Over Controversial Lines
In a candid interview with Times Now, Muntashir admitted that he failed to comprehend the gravity of the audience's anger immediately after the film hit theaters in June 2023. Looking back, he expressed deep embarrassment over writing lines like the heavily criticized "Kapda tere baap ka," which makers later attempted to alter in theaters under immense pressure from spiritual groups and viewers. The writer acknowledged that defending the film on national media worsened the situation, adding that he feels deeply ashamed for hurting public sentiments and religious faith attached to the epic Ramayana.
Severe Public Backlash And Box Office Failure Mark Enduring Legacy Of Om Raut's Adaptation
Despite being mounted on a massive budget and boasting a star-studded cast, Adipurush suffered heavy financial losses and critical rejection due to its controversial modernizing of sacred iconography. Cast members, including Kriti Sanon, had previously expressed heartbreak over the hostile public response to the film. Muntashir's retrospective apology highlights the long-lasting impact of the controversy on everyone involved, serving as a prominent cautionary tale within the Indian film industry regarding the sensitive adaptation of sacred historical literature.
