Actor Prakash Raj is embroiled in a burgeoning legal and public relations storm following recent complaints filed against him concerning remarks he made about the Ramayana. Multiple legal actions, including criminal complaints and defamation notices, have been initiated, alleging that his statements were offensive and hurt Hindu religious sentiments.
The core of the controversy stems from comments made by Raj, reportedly at the Kerala Literature Festival earlier this year, where he presented a version of the Ramayana that depicted Lord Ram and Lakshman as "North Indian" characters who consumed fruits from Ravana's land without paying. This retelling has been interpreted by complainants as mocking the epic and its deities, potentially fueling a North-South divide.
—- Legal Complaints Mount —-
Multiple legal complaints have been lodged against Prakash Raj across different jurisdictions.
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A BJP leader, Bhanu Prakash Reddy, who also serves as a Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Board Member, has filed a complaint urging authorities to take legal action. Reddy alleges that Raj's remarks were intentionally provocative, aimed at disrupting communal harmony and disrespecting religious beliefs.
Advocate Amita Sachdeva has filed a criminal complaint with the South District Cyber Cell in Delhi, citing Sections 196, 299, 352, and 353 BNS, read with the IT Act, for "deliberately mocking Bhagwan Shri Rama and the sacred Ramayana."
Another complaint reportedly came from a Telugu actress and BJP leader named Kalyani, who alleged that Raj equated the Ramayana with "beef-eating," thereby insulting the epic and Lord Ram. Kalyani also cited instances where Raj discussed "cultural politics" through his plays, including one that allegedly involved children writing and performing "anti-Hindu plays."
—- Defamation and Calls for Apology —-
Beyond formal complaints, Prakash Raj has also received a ₹100 crore defamation warning. A legal notice has demanded an unconditional apology within seven days, with a threat of civil and criminal action if he fails to comply. The notice further calls for him to refrain from making similar statements in the future.
The allegations further include claims that Raj's remarks, particularly those linking the Ramayana to food habits and framing it as a dispute over non-payment of fruits, represent "selective engagement and differential treatment towards different religious communities."
—- Context and Public Reaction —-
The resurfaced remarks have triggered significant online backlash, with calls for boycotts of his upcoming projects, including the film Varanasi, in which he is slated to play Lord Shiva. While Raj and his legal team have not yet issued a public statement regarding the complaints, the controversy has ignited a debate surrounding the boundaries of freedom of expression and public commentary on religious texts.
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The incident reportedly traces back to January when Prakash Raj was speaking at the Kerala Literature Festival. The complainant advocates are seeking action not only against Raj but also against those who allegedly amplified his remarks.
