NEVADA: The 20th Century Fox and Director Bryan Singer have agreed to delete reference to Lord Krishna – Vishnu in the movie “X-Men: Apocalypse”, released on May 27. It was also part of the trailer in December last. The reference was hurtful to devotees deeming it inappropriate as Lord Krishna is highly revered in Hinduism.
Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism, wrote to 20th Century Fox in March last urging Singer and 20th Century Fox Chairman James N. Gianopulos to not have any inappropriate references to the Lord in the final movie, unless those were true to the scriptures or based on scriptures.
Zed spearheaded the protest in December saying that trivialization of Hindu God who was highly revered in Hinduism, was “quite inappropriate and disturbing to the devotees”. He expressed thanks now that Singer and Fox would be deleting reference to the Lord Krishna – Vishnu in the final movie, thus showing maturity and understanding for the feelings of Hindu community.
There was comparison of blue-colored villain Apocalypse of action adventure Hollywood superhero movie “X-Men: Apocalypse” with Hindu deity Krishna in the trailer released in December last, upsetting the Hindus. This trailer indicated Apocalypse saying: “I have been called many things over many lifetimes-Ra, Krishna, Yahweh.”
Rajan pointed out that inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees and confused non-Hindus about Hinduism. Lord Krishna was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not for pushing movies for mercantile greed of filmmakers.
“X-Men: Apocalypse” stars Golden Globes nominated James McAvoy, Oscar nominated Michael Fassbender and Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence. Its official website talks about Apocalypse as: Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god.
The movie is also reportedly slated for release in India’s languages Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Claimed to be “one of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion pictures”, 20th Century Fox Film (headquartered in Los Angeles and whose history goes back to 1904) produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world.
India Post News Service
