Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 30: Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao has landed in legal trouble over a scene in his 2017 romantic-comedy Behen Hogi Teri, which has been accused of hurting religious sentiments. The case also names director Nitin Kakkar, producer Amul Vikas Mohle, and co-star Shruti Haasan.

The controversy stems from a scene in the film where Lord Shiva is shown wearing slippers, a portrayal that offended a section of the public. A complaint was originally filed in 2017 by Ishant Sharma, a Hindu leader and film producer, at Police Division No. 5 in Jalandhar, Punjab.

The matter recently resurfaced after Rajkummar Rao failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing, prompting the issuance of a non-bailable warrant. The actor had earlier been granted anticipatory bail, but his absence in court led to further legal action.

On Monday, July 29, Rajkummar Rao surrendered before the Jalandhar court at around 4 PM. The presiding judge, Srijan Shukla, granted him regular bail, allowing the actor to avoid police custody.

The hearing for the case took place today, and further proceedings are expected in the coming days. The actor’s legal team has not yet issued an official statement regarding the ongoing matter.

The film Behen Hogi Teri, released in 2017, was a light-hearted romantic story set in Lucknow, but the objectionable depiction of a deity stirred backlash soon after its release.

With religious sentiments at the heart of the complaint, the case has once again raised questions about creative freedom versus cultural sensitivity in Indian cinema.