Great Victory of Hindu Unity: Marathi Film “Manache Shlok” will be re-released in a New Name.

Marathi Film “Manache Shlok” Pulled from Theaters Amid Hindutva Protests, To Be Re-Released with New Title. Hindu organisations portrayed it as a ‘Great Victory’. 

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Mumbai |  Oct 12, 2025 – A controversy surrounding the Marathi film “Manache Shlok” has led to its withdrawal from theaters in Maharashtra, with the director, Mrunmayee Deshpande, announcing that the film will be re-released with a new title on October 16. The decision comes after Hindutva groups, including the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), protested against the film, alleging that its title disrespected the revered scripture “Manache Shlok” by saint-poet Samarth Ramdas Swami.

The protests, which began in Pune and spread to other parts of Maharashtra, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and western Maharashtra, saw groups of people, some wearing saffron stoles, halting screenings of the film and demanding its ban. The HJS had earlier condemned the film, stating that using the revered scripture’s title for a commercial film was unacceptable and hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus.

Earlier, Sunil Ghanwat, the convener of the HJS for Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, condemned the film, stating that turning the revered scripture into a tool for profit and entertainment was unacceptable and hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus. The organization demanded an immediate change of the film’s title.

In a statement on her Instagram handle, Mrunmayee Deshpande expressed disappointment over the disruption of screenings, but announced that the film would be re-released with a new title. “It’s saddening that our movie’s screening was stalled in Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and western Maharashtra,” she said. “The film has now been pulled out of theaters across the state and will be re-released with a new title on October 16.”

Hindu Organisations welcomed Deshpande’s decision, hailing it as a “great victory of Hindu unity against the efforts to vilify the Sanatan Dharma and Sant Parampara.” The organization also issued a warning to the film fraternity, cautioning against violating Hindu sentiments in the name of free speech or artistic expression.

The controversy has sparked a debate about the limits of creative freedom and the importance of respecting cultural values. While some have hailed the Hindutva groups’ actions as a defense of Hindu culture, others have criticized them for stifling artistic expression.

The film’s re-release with a new title has sparked curiosity among audiences, who are eagerly awaiting to see how the controversy will impact the film’s reception. As the debate continues, one thing is clear – the controversy surrounding “Manache Shlok” has highlighted the sensitive nature of cultural expression in Maharashtra if it crosses the limits of Hindu sentiment.
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_Inputs from PTI.

Update (16.10.2025 via Indian Express): After protests, Mrunmayee Deshpande’s film returned with a new name ‘Tu Bol Na’ from ‘Manache Shlok’