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Time of India
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Param Sundari' ignites controversy as Christian group protests flirty church scene
/ Aug 16, 2025, 05:10PM IST The trailer of 'Param Sundari', starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, has sparked controversy for featuring a flirty scene set inside a church. The Christian group Watchdog Foundation denounced it as disrespectful, writing to the CBFC, Mumbai Police, and other authorities. They've demanded the scene's removal from the film and promo materials, and threatened public protests and legal action. The backlash raises questions about creative freedom versus religious sensitivity in Indian cinema.
NDTV
a day ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Param Sundari: Sidharth-Janhvi's Film Lands In Controversy Over Flirty Church Scene, Christian Group Protests
New Delhi: While the trailer of Param Sundari, led by Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, was much-applauded, it soon found itself embroiled in a controversy. The trailer of the film begins with a flirty scene between Sidharth's Param and Janhvi's Sundari in a church. A Christian group has now questioned CBFC on their clearance of the scene and demanded the removal of the same. What's Happening A Christian group named Watchdog Foundation has expressed their strong disapproval of the romantic scene featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor in a church in their upcoming film Param Sundari. They have written to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Mumbai Police, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, and the Maharashtra government about the same. Advocate Godfrey Pimenta of the Watchdog Foundation said, "The CBFC, established under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, is entrusted with certifying films while taking into account both artistic expression and respect for religious feelings." The letter further mentioned, "the church is a sacred place of worship for Christians, and it should not be depicted as a stage for indecent content. This portrayal not only disrespects the spiritual sanctity of the religious place of worship but also deeply offends the sensibilities of the Catholic community." The Foundation group has also threatened public protests if the scenes are not removed from the film and promotional videos. They have further demanded an FIR against the lead actors, director and producer for hurting the religious sentiments of the Catholic community. sidharth malhotra as param sachdev in param sundari (2025) 🫶🏼 — akriti (@mallhotrasgirl) August 13, 2025 About Param Sundari The film marks their first collaboration on screen. Sidharth plays Param, a Punjabi boy, who falls in love with Sundari, a South Indian girl, played by Janhvi Kapoor. The trailer offers a glimpse of their love story that transcends geography, language and cultural backgrounds. Directed by Tushar Jalota, Param Sundari also features Rajeev Khandelwal, Aakash Dahiya and Manjot Singh in key roles. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on August 29, 2025. In A Nutshell Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor-led Param Sundari is facing backlash from a Christian group for their romantic scene in the church, as seen in the trailer. They have demanded the removal of the scene from the trailer and promotional videos.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Param Sundari': Christian group takes offense over flirty church scene in Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor starrer; demands removal
Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor 's 'Param Sundari' has generated quite a buzz with its soothing soundtrack and mesmerizing sequences after the makers dropped the first trailer and songs. While everyone thought the film would be out in theaters without any issues, it seems that is not possible now. A Christian group has demanded the removal of a scene from the film, as it would hurt the Catholic sentiments. Here's what happened. 'Param Sundari' in trouble over flirty church scene; Christian group demands removal According to a Mid-Day report, a Christian group named Watchdog Foundation has slammed the makers of 'Param Sundari' for showing a romantic, flirty scene in the film. Reportedly, the group has demanded in writing that the scene be taken out of the movie. The report further stated that the group has written to the Mumbai Police, the Central Board of Film Certification, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, and the Maharashtra government demanding the same. It wants the scene to be removed not just from the movie but also from the promotional videos, trailer, and songs. The lawyer of the Watchdog Foundation told the publication, "The CBFC, established under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, is entrusted with certifying films while taking into account both artistic expression and respect for religious feelings." In the letter, the group mentioned that the church is a sacred place of worship for all the Christians, and showing "indecent content" at such a place would offend the community. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 30 Beautiful women who lived 80-100 years ago Undo The letter read, "This portrayal not only disrespects the spiritual sanctity of the religious place of worship but also deeply offends the sensibilities of the Catholic community." Group questions CBFC and demands FIR The group questioned how the scene was cleared by the CBFC and warned against protesting the film if it's not dropped from the film. Not just that, they also demanded an FIR to be registered against the producer, director, and actors for hurting the Catholic community. More about 'Param Sundari' The film directed by Tushar Jalota is backed by Dinesh Vijan 's production house. Starring Sidharth and Janhvi in the lead, it is scheduled to hit cinemas on August 29, 2025. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra's Param Sundari in trouble for flirty church scene, Christian Group asks for removal
Actors Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra's upcoming film Param Sundari has landed in controversy over a scene in a church where they are seen flirting with each other. A Christian group has taken offense to the scene and is demanding its removal from the film. Param Sundari will be released on August 29. Param Sundari faces backlash from Christian Group A Christian group named Watchdog Foundation has called out the makers of Param Sundari for showing the romantic scene. According to a report by Midday, the group has written to the authorities to remove the scene from the film. The group has written to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Mumbai Police, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, and the Maharashtra government about the same. Apart from the film, the group is demanding removal of the scene from the trailer and promotional videos. 'The CBFC, established under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, is entrusted with certifying films while taking into account both artistic expression and respect for religious feelings,' said advocate Godfrey Pimenta of the Watchdog Foundation. In the letter, it was noted that 'the church is a sacred place of worship for Christians, and it should not be depicted as a stage for indecent content'. 'This portrayal not only disrespects the spiritual sanctity of the religious place of worship but also deeply offends the sensibilities of the Catholic community,' it added. The group questioned the CBFC's clearance of the scene and warned of public protests if it's not removed from the film. They also demanded an FIR against the producer, director, and actors for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Catholic community. About Param Sundari Directed by Tushar Jalota, the film navigates the cross-cultural romance between the two leads, one from Delhi and the other from Kerala. Apart from Sidharth and Janhvi, the film also stars Rajeev Khandelwal and Aakash Dahiya in pivotal roles. It is slated to release on August 29.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Home buyers left in the dark as MahaRERA blocks details of project under abeyance
Mumbai: Home buyers and advocates are unable to view details of projects kept on abeyance on the MahaRERA website. When some attempted to view details of a project on the website, a message is displayed stating the project is kept in abeyance and the bank account is frozen. However, all vital details, such as completion date, occupancy certificate, approval status, and past orders, are inaccessible to home buyers. Lawyers claim that without public access to essential details, such as Form 4, project approvals, and prior MahaRERA or appellate orders, home buyers will be prevented from availing legal remedy. However, MahaRERA officials have said that the home buyer can write to the regulator seeking details of their project, and the same would be mailed to them. "A home buyer approached seeking to register a complaint regarding a project since there was a delay in the handover of the flat with OC to my client. When I was trying to access all details of the project, including the orders passed by MahaRERA regarding the project, which would enable me to cite the orders in my complaint, a message on the website said that the project is kept in abeyance. All orders regarding a project are normally displayed on the website, which is for the benefit of the home buyers," said Advocate Godfrey Pimenta. Pimenta has written to the state housing department highlighting the issue and pointed out that Section 4(2)(l) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) mandates the developer and the regulator to make available all project-related information to the public. Pimenta stated that MahaRERA froze the project but failed to preserve access for prospective complainants. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai A MahaRERA official pointed out that details of lapsed projects are available. "Details of only those projects, which have been kept on abeyance, are not available on the website. We can provide the same if a home buyer writes to us. Projects are kept in abeyance when the project becomes non-compliant, including not updating progress and status of the project. After a notice is issued, sufficient time is given. Thereafter, the registration is temporarily suspended, and their website is blocked, besides their bank accounts too are frozen. We also ensure no registration of units is carried out in the project. We are not providing any details of the project kept in abeyance in the interest of the home buyers," said a MahaRERA official. The Watchdog Foundation demanded that the MahaRERA portal should resume public access to all non-sensitive details of the project while retaining any regulatory freeze.
