Ramayan's Sunil Lahri on Prabhas' Adipurush teaser, says 'nonsense will not be tolerated in this country'

Sunil Lahri played the role of Lakshman in Ramayan. In a new interview, he reacted to Prabhas' Adipurush teaser.

Prabhas' Adipurush is currently making headlines after its teaser was unveiled on October 2. Adipurush was one of the most anticipated films, but it did not live up to the expectations of fans. Netizens felt that the visual effects were not up to the mark. From being heavily trolled for its VFX to people calling it a misrepresentation of Indian culture, Adipurush is still being criticised by many. In fact, the hashtag #BoycottAdipurush was also trending on Twitter earlier. Sunil Lahri, who played Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar’s television adaptation of the Ramayana, has now commented on it.

Sunil Lahri told DNA, “After watching the teaser, at present, my views are neutral. It’s neither entirely positive, nor it’s totally negative. They have just introduced the characters and their personalities. So till now, they haven’t conveyed anything that really irked me. I think ki zabadasti ki controversy create ki ja rahi hai to popularise the film.”

He did, however, admit that he found all the characters’ look a bit strange. But he admitted that unlike historical figures, there’s no frame of reference to design these idols. “We all have an image set in our minds, and we have grown up watching a particular reference to Lord Ram all these years. So, they have tried to break the conventional image of Raavan. This is an individual take of a creative person, and as an artist, everyone has a right to present their interpretation of a story,” he said.

Commenting on the controversy, Suni Lahri added, “Itna main zaroor kehna chahuga makers aur audiences ko, ki ‘nonsense will not be tolerated anymore in this country.’ Humari jo bhavnaye hai, humare jo dharam se related hai, jinki hum pooja karte hai, aaradhyan maante hai. Unke prati koi bhi negativity ki, toh ab desh bardasht nahi karega. Unhone phele bhi dikha diya, aage bhi yehi hoga. Yeh us zaamane ka Bharat nahi raha, ab united ho gaye hai log, and I think this unity is positive and beneficial for the country (I will say this, the audience isn’t going to tolerate nonsense in this country anymore, not against our faith, or the gods we pray to. The audience has already shown what it is capable of, and it will do so again. This is the new India, people are united now).”

Watch the teaser of Adipurush here:

Adipurush is a mythological drama that stars Prabhas in the role of Lord Ram. It features Saif Ali Khan, last seen in Vikram Vedha, as the antagonist Lankesh. The film marks his Telugu debut. The cast includes Kriti Sanon and Sunny Singh. UV Creations has reportedly acquired the rights of its Telugu version for Rs 100 crore. Adipurush is directed by Om Raut. This is his third directorial venture after Subodh Bhave's Lokmanya: Ek Yugpurush and the Ajay Devgn-led Tanhaji. Adipurush is set to open in theatres on January 12, 2023.