Prakash Raj Defends Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal, Opposes Film Bans: “Let the Audience Decide”

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Veteran actor Prakash Raj has come out strongly against the ban on  Abir Gulaal , a romantic drama featuring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor. In a candid interview with  The Lallantop , Raj emphasized that no film—regardless of its political leaning or message—should be banned unless it contains illegal content such as pornography or child abuse. “I don’t support the banning of any film, whether it’s right-wing or propaganda. It’s the audience’s right to decide. Let the people choose what they want to watch,” he said. Citing examples like  Padmaavat  (2018),  Pathaan  (2023), and  L2: Empuraan , Raj highlighted how easily public outrage is sparked today, often leading to threats and intimidation. Referring to the controversy around Deepika Padukone’s costume in  Pathaan  and threats made during the release of  Padmaavat , he remarked, “People threaten to behead or harm actors over creative choices—what kind of message does that send?” Raj cr...

Why Puri is Concerned About the New Jagannath Temple in Digha


Do we need to worry about the Jagannath Temple in Digha

A newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal, has raised eyebrows in Puri, the spiritual and cultural seat of Lord Jagannath. Built at a cost of ₹250 crore on a sprawling 24-acre plot in Purba Medinipur district, about 350 km from Puri, the temple was opened by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

While the Digha temple closely resembles the iconic 12th-century Jagannath Temple in Puri — with sanctums for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Goddess Mahalaxmi — its creation has stirred unease among Puri's religious custodians.

The temple, standing 213 feet tall and constructed in the Kalingan architectural style using sandstone, has been described as a replica of the Puri shrine. This imitation has prompted concern from senior servitors and cultural scholars, particularly regarding the use of the term ‘Dham’ (a sacred pilgrimage site) by the West Bengal government to describe the new temple.

In response, the servitors of the original Puri Jagannath Temple have cautioned their community members not to participate in rituals at the Digha temple. Their concern is rooted in preserving the sanctity, religious protocol, and uniqueness of the Puri temple, which holds immense spiritual significance and centuries-old traditions.

The Digha temple project was announced in 2019, with construction beginning in May 2022 under the oversight of the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation.

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