‘Behen Hogi Teri’ producer Nitin Upadhyaya says they are being targeted for publicity

Rajkummar Rao and Shruti Haasan-starrer ‘Behen Hogi Teri’ landed into a legal trouble when a few people lodged a complaint against the producers of the film. Reportedly, the poster of the film that had Rajkummar Rao dressed as Lord Shiva and sitting on a bike, offended religious sentiments of people, and hence, the complain. Producer and director, Tony D’Souza and Ajay K Pannalal, were arrested on Thursday by Jalandhar police and then released the following day. Now, one of the producers of this film, Nitin Upadhyaya, has opened up over this controversy.

In his latest interview with Lucknow Times, he claimed that their film is being targeted by people to gain quick publicity. He stated, “We released a teaser poster with Gattu (Rajkummar’s character) dressed as Shivji during Navratri to pay homage to the festival and the celebrations that take place in North India. We never had the slightest idea that it will hurt anyone’s sentiment because people work in jagran mandalis, dress up and commute to places of performance. It was not a publicity stunt from our side. Then, when we came to know that there are people getting offended, we as good human beings, who care about people’s feeling, removed the poster. It was released digitally, not in the print media or in cinema halls. In the subsequent posters, trailer or songs we never showed anything related to Shivji or that might offend people. The intention previously was to make our film a part of Navratri celebration but it didn’t go down well with a few people so we changed our strategy because we care. But naturally everyone has agendas these days and so we were made easy targets by someone looking for quick mileage.”

He added further, “But I was personally hurt (by the controversy) – I am a devout Hindu; my mother prays twice a day. Shivji and Hanumanji are my favourites, how can I do anything demeaning to them in my film? Shivji is everyone’s, just like he is mine. It’s a dedication to all natak mandalis of UP.”

Let’s see what happens next! (Also Read: Rajkummar Rao’s lover boy act in ‘Tera Hoke Rahoon’ from ‘Behen Hogi Teri’ is adorable)

Nikita Thakkar

A strongly opinionated, free-spirited, budding Bollywood journalist, she likes to write anything in her own quirky style. When not running around to get assigned tasks completed, you will find her either painting, indulging in photography or dreaming in the la la land.