Actor Santhanam and the makers of his upcoming horror-comedy DD Next Level have landed in a controversy just days before the film’s theatrical release, as Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board member and BJP spokesperson Bhanuprakash Reddy has issued a legal notice seeking 100 crore in damages over the alleged misuse of a revered devotional song.
The controversy is on the film’s track ‘Kissa 47’, which features a remix of the traditional devotional song Srinivasa Govinda. Bhanuprakash, condemned the fusion, calling it disrespectful and offensive to Hindu sentiments, particularly as it appears in a stylish rap format.
He also raises a question on how Hindu beliefs are taken lightly and said that they have sent a legal notice demanding a public apology and removal of the song from both movie and online platforms. If failed to do so, they would be pursuing a 100 crore defamation suit.
The notice was addressed to the lead actor of the film Santhanam, producer Venkat Boyanapalli and co-producer Arya under the Niharika Entertainment banner. It was also forwarded to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The devotional song in question, Srinivasa Govinda Sri Venkatesa Govinda, is a widely known hymn associated with Lord Venkaswara. Its incorporation into a rap mix has stirred backlash, with calls for immediate removal from the film’s soundtrack.
DD Next Level, directed by S. Prem Anand and music scored by OfRo, is scheduled for a worldwide release on 16th May. Neither Santhanam nor the film’s producer have issued a public response to the controversy.
Sources: PinkVilla, Cinema Express
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