Apurva Asrani Slams Yash: 'Tihar Jail for Disliking Ramayana' Post Sparks Row
The cultural and ideological conversation surrounding director Nitesh Tiwari’s ₹4,000-crore mythological magnum opus Ramayana: Part 1 has taken a sharply polarized political turn following a blistering critique by National Award-winning screenwriter Apurva Asrani. The acclaimed writer behind celebrated biographical and social dramas such as Shahid and Aligarh issued a sharp public rebuke against Kannada superstar Yash—who embodies the demon king Lankapati Ravana and co-produces the film—after the actor urged audiences not to point out technical flaws or visual effects discrepancies in the cinematic epic. In an unapologetic statement shared across social media, Asrani linked the demand for uncritical reverence in popular cinema to broader civil suppression, igniting fierce debate across creative corridors ahead of the movie's planned theatrical release on November 5, 2026, coinciding with the nationwide Diwali festival.
'Tihar Jail for Disliking Ramayana': Inside Apurva Asrani’s Scathing Broadside Against Forced Conformity
Reacting directly to viral video clips of Yash's promotional address, Asrani took to his official handle on social platform X (formerly Twitter) to express alarm over what he characterized as a growing culture of forced artistic compliance. "I wouldn't be surprised if we get thrown in Tihar Jail for disliking the new Ramayanam, not banging plates to solve the oil crisis, or eating chicken burgers on Tuesdays. Maybe even for turning off the TV during a speech by the highest-ranking leader," Asrani wrote, using sharp satire to parallel mandatory cultural praise with state-enforced compliance. Pushing his critique into constitutional territory, the screenwriter warned that India is sliding rapidly toward authoritarian governance where foundational democratic freedoms are ridiculed, urging citizens to voice their opinions openly before independent questions and critical humor are treated as criminal vendettas.
Yash's Hyderabad Appeal: Why the 'Raavan' Star Urged Audiences to Spare Indian Cinema's Ambition
The controversy originated during a high-profile promotional conclave in Hyderabad, where Yash addressed thousands of fans and urged the audience to rally behind the immense logistical undertaking rather than dissecting technical shortcomings. Emphasizing that mounting an Indian cultural epic with Hollywood-scale capital is an exceedingly rare endeavor, Yash argued that continuous public nitpicking of visual effects and computer-generated imagery risks demoralizing indigenous filmmakers and stalling industry evolution. The actor maintained that director Nitesh Tiwari had taken previous public feedback to heart and made sincere corrections, asking moviegoers to approach the theatrical spectacle with an open mind. Headlined by Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Mata Sita, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, alongside veteran performers Arun Govil and Lara Dutta, the grand mythological drama continues to command massive public attention as artistic ambition collides with debates over free critical expression.
