Manoj Muntashir 'cried' after Adipurush row: Understood nothing is permanent

Recently, writer Manoj Muntashir spoke out about the controversy surrounding the dialogues in the Prabhas-starrer Adipurush. The lyricist shared how he cried after the film garnered negative reviews.

In Short

• Manoj Muntashir reacted to the Adipurush controversy
• The writer shared he cried after the controversy surrounding the film erupted
• Directed by Om Raut, the film stars Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan in key roles

Manoj Muntashir, the writer of the Prabhas-led Adipurush, faced heavy criticism for the film's dialogues. Recently, Muntashir opened up about how the backlash deeply affected him, admitting that it brought him to tears. He also reflected on the experience, saying it taught him that everything in life is temporary.

During the podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, Manoj was asked about his reaction when he got to know about the controversy. "Roya tha main (I cried)." He added, "Ek insan ke taur pe maine ye samjha ki kuch bhi permanent nahi hai. Jo aaj hai, ho sakta hai ye kal na ho, lekin ye bhi seekha ki jo accha hai, wo kal bura bhi ho sakta hai aur wo parso accha bhi ho sakta hai. Toh mai ruka nahi hu, jhuka nahi hu, mai din raat koshish kar raha hu (As a human being, I have understood that nothing is permanent. What exists today may not be there tomorrow, but I have also learned that what is good today can turn bad tomorrow, and the day after that, it can become good again. So, I haven't stopped, I haven't bowed down, and I am working hard day and night).”

Adding, Muntashir shared his learning from Bollywood. “Bollywood is a market. Market me toh koi niyam kanun hota nahi; fayeda hi ek niyam hai. Jab unko fayeda hoga mujhse, toh fir aaenge mere paas, aur aa bhi rahe hain. (Bollywood is a market. In the market, there are no rules or laws; profit is the only rule. When they find it beneficial to come to me, then they will come, and they are already coming.),” he said.

Earlier, during the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2024, Saif Ali Khan who played the role of Ravan in the Om Raut's film, spoke about the controversy. “I don't know how real a problem it is. I know a lot of people are not free to say or do whatever they want. We all have to police ourselves slightly and be a bit careful; otherwise, there could be trouble.”

Adipurush featured Prabhas and Kriti Sanon in the roles of Lord Ram and Sita. The film, however, was heavily criticised by the audience for supposedly misrepresenting the epic.

The film's dialogues, depiction of Ravana and Lord Hanuman, and visual effects were particularly criticised.