February 25, 2026

Artistic Freedom Or Blasphemy?

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First publised on 2022-07-05 10:09:06

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People are talking about the poster of the documentary film Kaali made by Canada-based independent filmmaker Leena Manimekalai that shows the Goddess in her warrior avatar but holding a LBGTQ+ flag and smoking a cigarette. Many people have been offended with this portrayal of the Goddess and Twitter is full of comments by people who think that the filmmaker should be arrested for ‘blasphemy’.  #arrestleenamanimekalai is trending.

Some people have been offended and are saying that just because Hindus are more tolerant than people of other religions, some 'liberals' have made it their business to offend them. They say that denigration of Hindu deities and making fun of Hindu beliefs is happening with increasing frequency. People are troubled by the fact that people are indulging in this just to get into the limelight. People say there is also a limit to artistic freedom.

People are also not convinced with Leena Manimekalai's explanation that they should first see the movie after which the #arrestleenamanimekalai will turn into #loveleenamanimekalai. They say that if the filmmaker has really made an important movie and really knew she would be loved for it, she would not have made such an offensive poster for the film, knowing full well that it would hurt Hindu sensibilities.

The Indian High Commission in Canada has already asked the concerned authorities to withdraw the offensive poster. FIRs have also been filed against the filmmaker (although the poster has been subsequently withdrawn) in Delhi and UP. Some people want her to be arrested while others are willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and wait till the movie is available for viewing. But, people say, whatever be the context in which such a poster is designed, those designing it must always keep in mind that playing with religious figures, motifs and beliefs is like playing with fire and should refrain from doing so.