Jains Object, Film ‘The Legacy Of Mahaveer’ On Hold

MUMBAI, (IANS) – The Jain community has gone on the warpath over the upcoming film ‘1080 The Legacy of Mahaveer’ on Lord Mahavir Jain, which was slated for a nationwide release on October 27.

Following strong objections from the community, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Mumbai has put on hold the certification process for the film till proper scrutiny is conducted.

“The film has not been reviewed but in view of certain objections received by us, we cannot comment on it in any manner,” said the officer, preferring anonymity.

The powerful Shri Mumbai Jain Sangh Sangathan (SMJSS) and Shri Ahmedabad Jain Sangh Sanghathan (SAJSS), with a total of 1,500 organizations as members, rushed to meet the CBFC CEO Ravinder Bhakar on Monday with a list of its objections.

“We made a strong representation to the CBFC explaining why the Jain community is upset and protesting against the film, how its release can hurt religious sentiments and emotions of the two-crore strong community, and the possible repercussions,” the SMJSS and SAJSS Convenor Nitin Vora said.

He said that Bhakar listened to them patiently and assured them that the film would not get a Censor Certificate till it was previewed and the matter resolved.

The “1080 The Legacy of Mahaveer,” released its teaser on September 5, followed by a trailer on October 11, and was scheduled for a post-Dassehra release to cash in on the festival sentiments.

Soon afterward on October 18, Vora said that various Jain groups had written to the filmmakers airing their objections and grievances and sought a reply within two days, which had not been received.

According to Vora, no human being can depict the Jain Lord Mahavir or the Gacchadhipatis and Jainacharyas, as it violates the community’s principles, ethos, traditions, culture, religious and human rights, in addition to being a degradation of the Tirthankara Paramatma and lowering the dignity of Shraman Bhagwant.

The ‘1080 The Legacy of Mahaveer’ is directed by Pradeep P. Jadhav-Vivek Iyer and features Manish Bishla, Swayam Joshi, Anil Lalwani, Surendra Pal, Shubham Vyas, in lead roles.

Billed as the first-ever film on the community, it portrays the story of three religious leaders of the 11th Century in Gujarat who battled corruption to uphold the teachings of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and the last Tirthankar in the Jain faith.