Leena Manimekalai, a documentary filmmaker, has sparked controversy after she tweeted a poster of her film in which Goddess Kali is depicted as smoking. The tweet was posted on Saturday and shows a woman dressed as the Hindu goddess Kali, smoking a cigarette. A pride flag can be seen in the background.
She tweeted, "Super thrilled to share the launch of my recent film - today at @AgaKhanMuseum as part of its “Rhythms of Canada”... Feeling pumped with my CREW."
Manimekalai has been accused, in a police complaint, of hurting religious sentiments, NDTV reported.
Ajay Gautam, who heads the "Gau Mahasabha", filed a complaint to the Delhi Police and the Home Ministry, calling for an FIR against the filmmaker and a ban on the film.
The film is being showcased at the Aga Khan Museum as part of its 'Rhythms of Canada' segment.
"I have nothing to lose. I want to be with a voice that speaks without fear of anything until it is. If the price is my life, I will give it," Leena Manimekalai tweeted (as translated) in response to the outrage.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)