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Last Updated: April 18, 2025, 20:24 IST
Controversy Surrounds ‘Jaat’ as Church Scene is Removed Following Backlash from Christian Community
Sunny Deol and Randeep Hooda’s film, Jaat, debuted on April 10, but swiftly faced criticism over a contentious scene that ultimately led to its removal.
The film’s producers have issued a statement concerning the deletion of a church scene, which sparked significant outrage within the Christian community. In the criticized sequence, Randeep’s character, Ranatunga, was depicted standing in a church under a crucifix, amidst a congregation engaged in prayer. The scene also showcased elements of hooliganism and intimidation, which added to the discomfort of viewers. In light of the backlash, the filmmakers have decided to remove this scene, expressing regret that it may have offended religious sentiments.
In their statement, the producers clarified, “There has been a backlash concerning a specific scene in the film. The scene has been removed with immediate effect. Our intention was not to hurt any religious sentiments. We sincerely apologize to everyone whose beliefs have been hurt.” This expression of remorse underscores their intention to foster respect for diverse beliefs.
Reports from India Today indicate that the Christian community was particularly affected by this scene, arguing that it bore a resemblance to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, thereby undermining their faith and insulting their beliefs. In response, community representatives lodged a formal complaint with the local authorities, requesting a ban on the film’s theatrical release.
A First Information Report (FIR) has since been filed at the Sadar Police Station in Jalandhar, naming key individuals associated with the film, including Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda, Vineet Kumar Singh, director Gopichand Malineni, and producer Naveen Malineni. The complaint alleges that the film’s content violated religious sentiments, prompting the law enforcement agencies to take notice of the growing sentiments against it.
Jaat, which marks Gopichand Malineni’s Hindi film debut, features a star-studded cast, including Saiyami Kher, Regina Cassandra, Jagapathi Babu, Ramya Krishnan, and others. The film is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory, and it aims to capture the attention of diverse audiences across Indian cinema.
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