Film fraternity condemns Hindutva group over attacks on Prakash Jha’s ‘Ashram 3’ set

Producers Guild of India, actors, filmmakers have condemned the vandalism unleashed by Bajrang Dal activists in Bhopal at the sets of Prakash Jha’s web series ‘Ashram’ on Sunday.

In a statemen, the Producers Guild wrote, “The Producers Guild of India strongly condemns the brazen acts of violence, harassment and vandalism faced by the crew involved in the production of the series Ashram in Bhopal. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident and the Guild is alarmed to note the frequency with which the production and exhibition sectors are severely and illegally disrupted by various elements with impunity”.

Further, the guild urged the relevant authorities to take action against the perpetrators.

Condemning the attacks, while filmmaker Sanjay Gupta commented, “Disgusting”, Director Hansal Mehta said on Twitter that “scared silence and continued deference will only empower such hooligans and further such oppression.”

“But who will bell the cat?” Mehta asked.

Prakash Jha was shooting the third season Ashram’s at Old Jail Premises in Bhopal’s Arera Hills area when Hinduvta outfit organisation Bajrang Dal workers showed up and started damaging the vehicles on the spot.

Actor Bobby Deol, the lead character in the series, was also present at the Hills, however, has not yet responded in public.

Sushil, Bajrang Dal’s provincial convener warned that filmmaker Prakash Jha must change the name of the series or they won’t let the shooting continue. The Hindutva body also said they blackened the face of Jha and are searching for Bobby Deol, who should learn from his elder brother, “Sunny Deol, a bollywood actor and BJP MP, who has played roles in patriotic movies.”

Bhopal south Superintendent of Police (SP), Sai Krishna Thota told PTI that “Bajrang Dal activists objected that this web series hurt the sentiments of Hindus as it contains obscene scenes.”

After throwing ink at the filmmaker, the assaulters pelted stones that damaged the windscreens of two busses and injured one person. The Police had reached the spot soon after and the situation was brought under control.

Bollywood Actor Swara Bhaskar tweeted, ‘Shocking, shameful and utterly believable!’ sharing the video of Bajrang Dal workers vandalising the series set.

Taking to Twitter, Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra said, “What ? This is terrible . The industry has to get together otherwise … (do I have to state it ) . Come on , “Associations “ . Stand with your members !”

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) also urged authorities to take action against the men of Hinduvta outfit. In a statement, they said, “The attack on sets of web series Ashram in Bhopal and the threats and abuses passed on to the Producer/Director Prakash Jha and the cast and crew members of the said series is strongly condemned by the FWICE. On behalf of all the workers, technicians and the actors we wish to appeal the Government to take cognizance of the incident and initiate stringent action against all those involved into this vandalism. The safety and security of our members is at high risk and increasing day by day due to such incidents and ignorance of the same by the respective authorities. We look for justice”.

Meanwhile, on Monday Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra backed the vandal’s demands, calling for a change in the name and content of the series.

Mishra told ANI, “I support it (demand to change the show’s name). Do you dare to keep some other name? Don’t do things that will cause problems. What happened (violence at ‘Ashram’ sets) was wrong, four arrests were made. But Jha sahab, you should also think of the wrong you’re doing.”

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