In Bengaluru, the historical drama film Sharanara Shakti, which is set to release on October 18, is already igniting controversy ahead of its premiere. After the uproar over the book Vachana Darshana, critics are now focusing on the film’s depiction of prominent Lingayat religious figures, triggering protests from influential community leaders and organizations such as the Jagathika Lingayat Mahasabha. The filmmakers tout the movie as a captivating recounting of 12th-century stories involving revered figures like Basavanna and Channabasavanna, alongside key cultural icons such as the Anubhava Mantapa.
In response to escalating tensions, a special screening was organized, attended by high-profile Lingayat pontiffs and community leaders, including former IAS officer SM Jaamdar. After viewing the film, Jaamdar noted, “There are many objectionable issues,” hinting at further scrutiny to come. The backlash against the film stems particularly from its portrayal of Akka Nagamma, a revered figure within the faith, eliciting strong sentiments from community members like Ravi Kumar Biradar, president of the Rashtriya Basava Sena, who deemed the representation as „disgraceful.“ He emphasized the significance of Akka Nagamma, stating, “How can we tolerate her being depicted in such a disgraceful manner?” For further insights on the protests and community reactions surrounding the film, see the full report auf www.newindianexpress.com.
