Saif Ali Khan will be essaying the antagonist Lankesh (Raavan) in Om Raut’s ‘Adipurush’, opposite Prabhas’s Lord Ram.
The actor had stirred up quite the controversy after saying that Adipurush will project Raavan as ‘humane’ and attempt to justify his actions!
Talking to Mumbai Mirror, Saif had commented on his role – “It’s interesting to play a demon king, less strictures in that. But we will make him humane, up the entertainment quotient, justify his abduction of Sita and the war with Ram as revenge for what was done to his sister Surpanakha by Lakshman, who cut off his nose.”
This remark went viral and invited a lot of backlash from netizens. BJP leader Ram Kadam from Mumbai also took to Twitter to slam Saif and the makers.
Upon receiving severe criticism, Saif Ali Khan had retracted his statement with an official apology!
“I’ve been made aware that one of my statements during an interview, has caused controversy and hurt people’s sentiments. This was never my intention or meant that way. I would like to sincerely apologise to everybody and withdraw my statement. Lord Ram has always been the symbol of Righteousness & Heroism for me. Adipurush is about celebrating the victory of good over evil and the entire team is working together to present the epic without any distortions.”
However, looks like now his comment has landed him in a legal soup – Civil court advocate, Himanshu Srivastava, from Uttar Pradesh has filed a complaint against Saif Ali Khan for hurting his religious sentiments.
The advocate said that he is a believer of Santana Dharma and that traditionally Lord Ram is a symbol of good whereas Raavan is considered evil. According to IANS, the complainant has alleged that Saif’s interview is a negative portrayal of “faith” and “faith in Sanatan Dharma”. Apart from the plaintiff, six others also saw the interview online, and it has hurt their religious sentiments too, the petition claimed.
The plea will be heard in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh on December 23.