Manoj Muntashir: Defends Adipurush Lines Against Ramayana Comparisons
Lyricist Manoj Muntashir has once again addressed the intense public scrutiny surrounding the 2023 mythological film Adipurush, specifically defending his lyrical contributions against comparisons with traditional adaptations of the Ramayana. Speaking in recent interviews, the writer maintained that his creative approach for the high-profile cinematic project was entirely deliberate and rooted in a specific artistic vision. Despite drawing widespread backlash and subsequent trolling for tracks like Mangal Rang, the writer emphasized that the musical composition and verses were crafted with serious intent rather than casual or simplified phrasing.
Manoj Muntashir Defends Adipurush Lyrics
Addressing critics who measured his work against classic television and literary depictions of Lord Ram, the lyricist strongly argued that he neither composed nursery rhymes nor traditional qawwalis for the project. He stressed that his primary objective was to deliver devotional resonance suited for a contemporary cinematic scale, insisting there was never any lack of genuine devotion reflected in the song lyrics. While acknowledging the cinematic failure of the film itself, he pointed out that many children continue to sing the movie’s tracks, which he views as a testament to the enduring popularity of the musical numbers despite the overarching controversy.
The ongoing discourse stems from the massive wave of criticism that followed the theatrical release of Adipurush, directed by Om Raut and starring Prabhas and Kriti Sanon. The project faced immediate backlash over its dialogue, visual effects, and modern interpretations of sacred epics, leading to public outrage and protests across various parts of the country. In response to the overwhelming negative reception, the creative team previously issued apologies and even altered certain controversial lines post-release, though debates regarding the handling of religious source material continue to resurface regularly in public forums.
The persistent defense offered by the lyricist highlights the delicate balance creators must maintain when translating ancient epics for modern moviegoers, resonating strongly with regional audiences who closely follow every development in pan-Indian cinema. Observers and fans will continue to monitor how the creative personnel behind major mythological projects navigate public expectations and criticism in their upcoming ventures. As Bollywood and regional film industries prepare for future adaptations of classical Indian epics, filmmakers and writers are expected to tread much more cautiously to avoid repeating past controversies. Future updates regarding the professional trajectories of the film’s cast and crew will likely keep these debates alive within the broader entertainment landscape for a long time to come.
Prashanth is the editor of PakkaFilmy. He covers Telangana and Andhra Pradesh politics, Telugu and Indian cinema, sports, technology and useful public-interest news in clear, simple English. Every story is checked against available official information before publishing, as set out in our Editorial Policy. Follow PakkaFilmy on X: https://x.com/pakkafilmy007 | Telegram: https://t.me/pakkafilmytelugu | Instagram: https://instagram.com/pakkafilmy_
