An FIR was filed against Director Leena over a poster of her documentary film ‘Kaali.’
Documentary filmmaker Leena Manimekalai shared a poster of her new film on social media stating it was a part of the ‘Rhythms of Canada’ segment at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.
A complaint was filed against Indian documentary director Leena Manimekalai for a poster in her new film ‘Kaali’ where a woman dressed as the Hindu deity is seen smoking. The complaint filed on Monday with the Delhi Police said Manimekalai had hurt Hindu sentiments.
The Madurai-born Toronto-based director has shared the poster on social media platforms where a woman in Goddess Kaali attire can be seen smoking a cigarette. In the background, she is also seen holding the pride flag of the LGBTQ community.
The poster infuriated some netizens, who felt it was an abuse of religious sentiments and demanded the poster be withdrawn. Soon after, the hashtag #ArrestLeenaManimekalai started an incline on Twitter with users calling for action against the director.
“Leena Manimekalai, a filmmaker portraying Hindu Gods as cigarette smokers. She is insulting Maa Kaali,” a user wrote.
“Today I am raising my voice for the arrest of an anti-Hindu filmmaker. Will you all be with me,” another user tweeted, with the hashtag.
“I demand the arrest of Leena Manimekalai. We won’t tolerate the disrespect of our Goddess Kali Maa, we are of the Tamil government now. @beingarun28@TheDeepak2022#ArrestLeenaManimekalai,” another user said.
“The film is about the events during Kaali’s strolls through the streets of Toronto city one fine evening. If they watch the movie, they will put the hashtag ‘love you Leena Manimekalai’ rather than ‘Arrest Leena Manimekalai,” she added in reply to another article.
Since then the director has restricted comments on her Instagram.
