These days it is becoming quite challenging for directors to decide on a title in Sandalwood, with many controversies being raised for one or the other reason. The latest film in the center of a title controversy is Karnataka Ayodhyapuram.
Director Lava was in for a surprise when his film title was recently rejected because a particular Muslim group named Bazm-e-Qasmi objected to the title.
The group felt that the film which bears the title Ayodhyapuram will hurt the sentiments of the community further to which they requested a ban on the title. "I was told by the Chamber and the Secretary, Department of Information and Publicity that a show cause notice was sent to my office asking me to change the title. The chamber claimed that they had sent the notice on December 20, 2012 by courier, which I am yet to receive," said Lava, who got to know about the issue only when he went to the chamber to register another film title, Pyaare.
"I am currently in the process of poster publicity and I am planning for an audio release on January 14. I am determined to go ahead with the same title as my story has nothing to do with any place or any issue related to Ayodhya. My film talks about a Muslim girl and a Hindu boy who fall in love and their parents accept them as a couple. The incident takes a political turn because of a land and both the lovers are killed. It is actually a story inspired by a real life incident. I have included twenty per cent of the story and commercialised the rest eighty per cent. Why should I change the title?" Lava questioned.
In fact, the director has been receiving calls from the group from the time he had registered the title, but since he did not consider the calls seriously, they wrote a letter to the Karnataka State Minority commission. "The chamber has also informed that in case any problem arises out of the title and script, then I should be solely responsible, for which I am ready. There has been a lot of hiccups from the time I wanted this title. Initially I asked for Ayodhya, which they rejected. Then I suggested few other titles with the same word. Finally they approved Karnataka Ayodhyapuram. Today I have completed shooting and the film is in post production stage. They are now requesting me to change the title, which is totally impossible. I will be having a meeting with the chamber in one or two days and I am sure I have the right to preserve the title as it has nothing to do with Ayodhya issue," he stated.