Right-wing Hindu extremists from Bajrang Dal have attacked and vandalized the sets of Bobby Deol starrer web series, ‘Ashram’, reported several Indian media outlets.
The attackers alleged that the Ashram series featuring Bobby Deol is a disrespect to the religion of Hindusim and its system of Ashram. The incident occurred on the second day of the shoots. The right-wing extremists also threw ink on the director of the series, Prakash Jha.
A group of right-wing outfit attacked the sets of Bollywood actor Bobby Deol starrer web-series Ashram 3 for tarnishing the image of Hinduism. The show landed in a controversy after a few protestors from Bajrang Dal vandalised the set and threw ink on its director Prakash Jha. pic.twitter.com/UX4EwTMtVV
— PoonWood (@poonwood) October 26, 2021
When asked if Bajrang Dal leaders have read the script, Sushil Sudele, state convener of Bajrang Dal, said, “It is already known in public from the last two series of the same drama. We accept that some Ashrams have been indulging in such kinds of activities and their heads are in jail now. If you want to make a film, then give a particular name to that particular Ashram. You cannot tarnish the image of the entire Ashram system, this is our objection.”
Members argued that people will lose faith in the Ashram system if film directors and actors continuously tried to make such films.
“Title Ashram indicates that it would be a religious drama, but the content is filled with vulgarity, that is why we have asked director Jha to change the name of his web series and he has agreed,” the Bajrang Dal leader said.
According to right-wing members, Bajrang Dal members had reached the set to convince the director to change the name of the series. They accused that the argument held between them lead to the ruckus on the sets.
Their faces blackened, they were beaten up including Bobby Deol, They were shooting Ashram 3. pic.twitter.com/5NNPDIbLEu
— Abhishek Panchal (@ipradhanjii) October 24, 2021
Prakash Jha and Bobby Deol got the deal. If you make a, movie showing a Ashram as a place of exploiting women.. This is well deserved thn and Bollywood this is just the beginning.. #Hindus pic.twitter.com/ET9xzBmbm0
— Sanatani Thakur 🇮🇳(Modiji ka parivar) (@SanggitaT) October 25, 2021
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Producers Guild of India has called for strict action against the perpetrators in the statement. The statement read: “The Producers Guild of India strongly condemns the brazen acts of violence, harassment, and vandalism faced by the crew involved in the production of the series Ashram in Bhopal.”
“Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident and the Guild is alarmed to note the frequency with which both the production and exhibition sectors are severely and illegally disrupted by various elements with impunity.”
It continued, “Content production contributes significantly to local economies, generates employment, and promotes tourism which is why authorities in India and across the world formulate policies to attract producers to their respective regions. However. even more than incentives and benefits. the very minimum that production units should expect is for these authorities to provide the guarantees of safety and security for their units.”
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The statement concluded, “We urge the relevant authorities to take immediate and strict action against the perpetrators of these acts of violence and to bring them to justice.”