Marathi film Manache Shlok halted; Re-Release set Oct 16

Screenings of the Marathi film Manache Shlok, directed and led by actor Mrunmayee Deshpande, were disrupted in Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and other parts of Maharashtra following protests over its title. The film, named after the revered collection of verses by saint-poet Samarth Ramdas Swami, was released statewide on October 10, 2025.

Videos circulating on social media showed protesters, reportedly wearing saffron stoles, halting theatre screenings. They alleged that using the sacred name Manache Shlok for a commercial film amounted to disrespecting Hindu culture.

In response, Deshpande expressed her disappointment over the interruptions in western Maharashtra and stated that the film has now been temporarily withdrawn from theatres. She announced that it will be re-released under a new title on October 16, 2025.

Reacting to the protests, Sachin Sawant, Congress spokesperson for Maharashtra, criticised those claiming to follow Hindutva ideology. He said their actions suggested they had not read or understood Samarth Ramdas Swami’s Manache Shlok, which guides individuals toward righteousness, self-reflection, and ethical living. Sawant emphasised that the text’s purpose is to enrich human life, not justify aggression or intimidation.

Sawant further condemned the use of Lord Ram’s name to justify violent behaviour, stating that such actions contradicted the values of character, compassion, brotherhood, and justice associated with the deity. He also alleged that the state government had failed to protect filmmakers and the freedom of creative expression, adding that pressuring artists to alter film titles without governmental intervention indicated tacit support for unconstitutional actions.

He warned that promoting intolerance and religious fanaticism risks moving Maharashtra away from its progressive and reformist traditions toward regressive politics.

The controversy has sparked widespread discussion in Maharashtra, with observers highlighting the challenges faced by filmmakers in balancing creative expression and cultural sensitivities.