Overview

• Multiple Pune venues, including theatres in Kothrud and Dhayari, suspended shows as managements cancelled screenings citywide citing safety concerns.
• Hindutva organisations, including the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, demanded a title change, calling the film’s name an insult to Hindu culture and spiritual heritage.
• Pune Police deployed forces at several sites, with officials noting that activist Ujjwala Goud’s objection led organisers to withdraw at least one show to prevent escalation.
• The Bombay High Court had refused to stay the release a day earlier, observing no direct connection between the film and the scripture despite the resemblance in titles.
• Director Mrunmayee Deshpande and the team said the title refers to protagonists named Manva and Shlok and affirmed respect for Ramdas Swami, as social-media videos showed protests disrupting screenings.