Dasavatharam has always been facing external problems from the time of its inception. Now it is the International Sri Vaishnava Dharma Samrakshanaa Society who had filed a writ petition seeking for a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to remove “offending scenes” in the film ‘Dasavatharam’.
According to forum president Govinda Ramanuja Dasa, the scenes depicting a violent clash between Saivite and Vaishanvite sects of Hinduism; Kamal stepping on ‘pranava mantram’ and the Bhagvad Gita; and the scene in which Kamal is tied to the idol of Lord Ranganathar and pushed into the sea, offended the faith and sentiments of Vaishnavites. Admitting the writ petition, a vacation bench of Justice Rajasuriya and Justice M Sathyanarayanan issued notices to the censor board, producer Oscar Films and director K S Ravikumar.
A counter filed by advocate K. Ravi on behalf of film director K.S. Ravikumar said there was no scene depicting either Mr.Kamal Hassan or any other character in the film trampling on the mantra ‘Om’ or the sacred Bhagavat Gita. The regional officer of the Central Board of Film Certification, Babu Rammasami, in his counter-affidavit, said the petitioner had not explained as to how and why the title, ‘Dasavatharam,’ offended the religious faith. The title does not violate any of the guidelines in the Cinematograph Act and a film with the same title had been certified by the CBFC.
It does not contain any violent sectorial clash between Saivites and Vaishnavites and no scene in the film would foster hatred between the sects, he said. The Board, which issued certificate to the film on April 22, said it was fully convinced by the film. The bench posted the matter for hearing to next week and asked the respondents to file counters.
