Cinema VinesIndian cinema’s 2023 blockbuster, Adipurush, promised to be a landmark with its massive budget and star‑studded cast, yet it ended up as one of the most debated releases of the year. The film, directed by Om Raut and backed by T‑Series and Retrophiles, attempted a modern retelling of the Ramayana, featuring Prabhas as Lord Rama, Kriti Sanon as Sita, Saif Ali Khan as Ravana, Sunny Singh as Lakshmana, and Devdatta Nage as Hanuman. Despite a reported ₹600 crore production cost and a strong opening that pulled in more than ₹390 crore worldwide, critics slammed the movie for its visual effects, dialogue choices, character portrayal and its contemporary take on a revered epic.
Central to the controversy was the screenplay, penned by renowned lyricist and writer Manoj Muntashir. At the film’s release, Muntashir defended the project, but in a recent interview on Times Now’s podcast Baatein Dil Se, he admitted that writing the dialogues was the biggest mistake of his life. He confessed that he was ashamed of the lines he crafted and of the backlash that followed, saying, “Adipurush was the biggest mistake of my life, and defending that film was an even bigger mistake. Whatever happened around the film, I’m very ashamed of it, and I beg the forgiveness of this country for all that had happened.”
Muntashir revealed that his wife had cautioned him against publicly defending the film, fearing he would become the face of the backlash. He said that even six months before the release, the project was already under scrutiny, and he regrets not heeding her advice. He also expressed disappointment for not doing justice to Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman, noting that some of his remarks about Hanuman were taken out of context. “Now, when I look back, I am ashamed that I wrote them. I don’t know what I was thinking when I wrote them,” he added.
The film’s release on 16 June 2023 was accompanied by a wave of criticism that prompted the makers to revise several controversial lines after audiences voiced their concerns. While the movie managed to recoup a substantial box‑office share, the combination of high production costs and negative reception meant it was ultimately deemed a commercial failure. Muntashir’s candid admission underscores the intense scrutiny Indian filmmakers face when adapting mythological narratives for contemporary audiences.
