The title of Pratik Gandhi’s upcoming film Raavan Leela has been changed to Bhavai in order to “respect the sentiments” of the audience, its makers announced on Tuesday.
According to a statement from the makers, the decision was taken after receiving requests for the title change. Director Hardik Gajjar said, “I am happy to honour the wishes of my stakeholders and audience. Cinema is a medium meant to entertain people and so is our film.” He added that the team is confident that Bhavai will entertain the audience.
Gandhi took to Instagram and shared a poster of the film with the new name. He wrote, “For me, every story that I’m a part of is a way to connect with your hearts and to not hurt any sentiments! We as a team have collectively made a decision to change the name of our film to Bhavai.”
While Gandhi told PTI that the team does not mind changing the name of the film, he also questioned whether the move would “solve anything.”
The actor said, “We aren’t showing any interpretation of Ram or Ravan in the film. The film is not at all about that. That’s why the team thought that if sentiments of a certain section of the society are hurt, we don’t mind changing the name if that satisfies them. But I’m sure that’s not the answer to the broader question. We changed the name, but will that solve anything?”
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Set against the backdrop of the popular folk theatre form from Gujarat of the same name, Bhavai marks the first Hindi feature film as a lead for Gandhi, who shot to fame with Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story. The actor plays Rajaram Joshi, a stage artist who essays the role of Ravan in a Ram Leela presentation, the traditional performance of the Ramayana.
Bhavai is set to hit the theatres on October 1.
Touted as a love story, the film is presented by Dr Jayantilal Gada and produced by Dhaval Gada, Aksshay Gada Parth Gajjar, and Richa Amod Sachan under Pen Studios, Hardik Gajjar Films, and Backbencher Pictures. It also stars Aindrita Ray, Rajendra Gupta, Rajesh Sharma, and Abhimanyu Singh in pivotal roles