Fact Check: Viral Poster claiming ‘no entry for Dalits’ into Adipurush theatres is fake
Adipurush is an Indian movie based on the Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’ written by Sage Valmiki. Featuring Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, and others, the film is scheduled to be released on June 16, 2023. The team organized a grand pre-release event in Tirupati.
Adipurush is an Indian movie based on the Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’ written by Sage Valmiki. Featuring Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, and others, the film is scheduled to be released on June 16, 2023. The team organized a grand pre-release event in Tirupati.
Right from the release of its trailer last year, the movie has been surrounded by controversies. Recently, after the pre-release event, a poster is in circulation that the movie makers are prohibiting Dalits from viewing the movie.
The poster which is in Telugu claims “రామాయణ పారాయణం జరిగే చోట పవిత్రంగా ఉండాలనేది మా నమ్మకం. ఈ నమ్మకాన్ని గౌరవిస్తూ, ప్రభాస్ రాముడిగా నటించిన 'ఆదిపురుష్' సినిమా ప్రదర్శించే థియేటర్లలో దళితులకు ప్రవేశం లేదు. ఎంతో ప్రతిష్టాత్మకంగా భారీ హంగులతో ధర్మం కోసం నిర్మించిన 'ఆదిపురుష్' ని హిందువులందరూ తప్పక వీక్షిద్దాం. ”
When translated, it claims: “It is our belief that the place where recitation of Ramayana is done should be kept sacred. Respecting this belief, Dalits are not allowed in theatres where the movie 'Adipurush' starring Prabhas as Ram is screened. All Hindus must watch 'Adipurush' which is produced for protection of Dharma, with great ambition and grandeur.”
The poster is viral on WhatsApp too.
Fact Check:
The claim that Dalits will not be allowed into theatres where Adipurush movie is screened is false. The image being shared is a morphed one.
When searched, we did not find any such posters released by the Adipurush movie team. The viral poster resembled the latest poster released by the movie team that they will be dedicating one seat in every theatre the movie is screened, to Lord Hanuman.
Here are some twitter posts which shared the poster which is in Telugu and states “రామాయణ పారాయణం జరిగే చోట పవిత్రంగా ఉండాలనేది మా నమ్మకం. ఈ నమ్మకాన్ని గౌరవిస్తూ, ప్రభాస్ రాముడిగా నటించిన 'ఆదిపురుష్ ' సినిమా ప్రదర్శించే ప్రతి థియేటర్లో ఒక సీటు విక్రయించకుండా హనుమంతుడి కోసం ప్రత్యేకంగా కేటాయించడం జరుగుతుంది.
అతిగొప్ప రామ భక్తునికి గౌరవ మర్యాదలు సమర్పిస్తూ చరిత్రలో కనీ వినీ ఎరుగని విధంగా ఈ గొప్ప కార్యానికి శ్రీకారం చుట్టాం. ఎంతో ప్రతిష్టాత్మకంగా అత్యంత భారీ హంగులతో నిర్మించిన 'ఆదిపురుష్ ' ని హనుమంతుడి సమక్షంలో అందరం తప్పక వీక్షిద్దాం”
When translated, it states “It is our belief that the place where Ramayana is recitated should be kept sacred. Respecting this belief, in every theatre where movie ‘Adipurush’ is screened in which Prabhas plays the role of Lord Rama, one unsold seat will be reserved exclusively for Lord Hanuman.
By paying respects to the great devotee of Lord Rama, we started this project in a big way. Let's all have a look at 'Adipurush' which was produced with grandeur in the presence of Lord Hanuman.”
The background of the viral and the original posters is the same. Only the text has changed in the viral poster, while every other feature is the same.
The makers of the Adipurush movie have refuted the claims and issued an official media communication stating that Team Adipurush firmly stands for equality, emphasizing no discrimination based on caste, creed, or colour for watching the movie.
