Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt along with director Ayan Mukerji left for Ujjain on Tuesday to seek blessings for their film Brahmastra at the Mahakaleshwar Temple. However, Bajrang Dal activists created a ruckus outside the temple before their visit. The activists protested and tried to stop Ranbir and Alia from entering the temple. The reason behind the protest was Ranbir's past comment on beef-eating.
Reportedly, amid the protest, Ranbir and Alia couldn't take the darshan of the presiding deity. Ayan, however, managed to offer prayers to Mahakal ahead of Brahmastra's theatrical release. Sharing a picture from the temple, Ayan wrote on Instagram. "Feel very happy and energised to have visited Mahakaleshwar Temple today… Got the most beautiful darshan…Wanted to make this visit to close the film-making journey on Brahmstra, and to get all the positive energy and blessings for our Release."
After the visit to the temple, Ayan interacted with the local media. While he spoke about Brahmastra, he gracefully avoided reacting to the protest that took place outside the temple and Ranbir-Alia's absence.
#AyanMukerji speaks to the media about the #Brahmstra and darshan of the Mahakaleshwar.
But he gracefully avoided the question related to protest and #RanbirKapoor, #AliaBhatt absence. pic.twitter.com/frC1uRN1qV
— Ashwani kumar (@BorntobeAshwani) September 6, 2022
Regarding the protest, Ujjain CSP Om Prakash Mishra told a media agency, "We were making arrangements as some VIPs were about to visit Mahakaleshwar temple. During which some people started gathering here to protest against them. One of the protestors started fighting with police officers." The police have reportedly taken action under section 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code against an activist.
In a viral video, a Bajrang Dal activist can be heard saying that they were protesting peacefully by wearing black flags, but police started cane-charging them. “We are protesting against Ranbir Kapoor and won't let him enter the Mahakal temple. He made derogatory statements against our gaumata. He had said eating beef is good,” he said.
Protest against #Brahmastra star's #AliaBhatt & #RanbirKapoor at Ujjain.
Team Brahmstra along with #AyanMukerji are in Ujjain to visit Mahakaleshwar Temple.
After Alia shared the video on Instagram to inform about team visit at Ujjain, protesters reached their with Black flags pic.twitter.com/TilxMMQwuE
— Ashwani kumar (@BorntobeAshwani) September 6, 2022
Back in 2011, Ranbir expressed his love for beef. He said, "My family is from Peshawar, so a lot of Peshawari food has come with them. I am a mutton, paya, and beef fan. Yeah, I am a big beef fan." The video has resurfaced ahead of Brahmastra's release.
Brahmastra will release on September 9.
(Source: Instagram/Twitter)
