SAFFRONS WORLD

Friday, August 26, 2016

Hollywood Director Param Gill Set to Release Controversial New Film Warrior Savitri Despite Death Threats

Param Gill is a rare breed of dentist slash award winning Hollywood film director who is suddenly being thrust under the international spotlight for reasons he never expected. His latest feature film, Warrior Savitri, which is slated for international release on August 25, 2016, has become a subject of heated controversy. Radical religious fundamentalists have not only been protesting the film’s release in public demonstrations throughout India, and setting fire to film posters and effigies of Param Gill himself, they’ve also been barraging him directly with a flood of ominous emails. One even threatening to publicly behead him:

“Self ban your film Warrior Savitri. It shows Goddess Savitri in poor light. If this film is released, you will be beheaded in public. Jai Shri Ram.”

A native of India himself, Gill explains that he had no intention of offending the religious sentiments of his homeland but rather to revive the ancient fable of Satyavan, Savitri and Yamraaj from the epic Mahabharata. The Mahabharata tells the story of goddess, Savitri, who used the sheer power of her dedication to her husband Satyavan to save him from being killed by Yama, the god of death. In Hindu mythology, Savitri symbolizes the epitome of a dutiful wife but Gill says he wrote Warrior Savitri as a modern day adaptation to portray Savitri in a more self-empowering light.

Savitri – played by Niharica Raizada – is also shown in shots depicting sexual intimacy. She is also shown wearing sexy clothing, including cut-off shorts and bustiér-style tops.The film is set in Las Vegas. Its stars include Om Puri, Lucy Pinder, Rajat Barmecha and Gulshan Grover.

Lucy Pinder statement:

"I was ready to leave from Los Angeles to Mumbai at the airport. But given the controversy surrounding the film, producers advised me to stay away citing security concerns. India has become a very intolerant country. I feel frustrated that I can not one to India to promote my first film".

Director Param Gill statement:

" I have worked in Hollywood all my life. But I am born in India, so the country beats in my heart. I was very excited to come to India to promote my first Bollywood film, Waarrior Savitri, but producers advised me to stay away. My effigies have been burnt across India with heavy protests to ban the film. I request the protesters to join a special screening of film at Mumbai. They will find nothing objectionable rather they will feel inspired".

“Sex selection is rampant in India. Women’s survival is at stake. We have to fight for their rights.” – Param Gill, Director of Warrior Savitri.