Kaali can't be destroyed: Filmmaker Leena Manimekalai as Twitter removes poster

“Kaali cannot be lynched. Kaali cannot be raped. Kaali cannot be detroyed. She is the goddess of death,” filmmaker Leena Manimekalai tweeted as her original poster of the documentary was taken down by Twitter.

Published on: Jul 7, 2022, 06:37:14 IST

By HT News Desk | Written by Poulomi Ghosh

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The July 2 tweet in which Toronto-based filmmaker Leena Manimekalai released the controversial poster of her documentary has been pulled down by the social media platform in response to a "legal demand". Reacting to this, the director who is facing several complaints in the country for depicting Goddess Kaali in an allegedly derogatory manner, Leela Manimekalai said the action is hilarious as the poster was re-shared thousands of times by "lowlife trolls". Asking whether the social media platform will pull down each and every tweet featuring the poster where a woman dressed as Goddess Kaali can be seen smoking, Leena Manimekalai said, "Kaali cannot be lynched. Kaali cannot be raped. Kaali cannot be destroyed. She is the goddess of death." Also Read: Amid Kaali row, Leena Manimekalai's 2013 tweet 'I will surrender..' goes viral

The original poster of the documentary which filmmaker Leena Manimekalai tweeted has been taken down by Twitter.

Apart from several FIRs and complaints that the filmmaker is facing in India, Leena has run into trouble after the Aga Khan Museum and the Toronto Metropolitan University issued apologies over the controversial poster. York University where Leena studies, however, has supported her artistic freedom.

Amid the ongoing controversy, Leena's old tweets criticising Narendra Modi and the BJP government have surfaced prompting an intense call for action against the Madurai-born filmmaker.

Soon after its Twitter release, the poster created a stir in India prompting the Indian High Commission in Ottawa to take the issue up with the Canadian authorities to take down all "provocative material" related to the film. The documentary was showcased as part of the 'Under the Tent' project at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. "I have nothing to lose. Till the time I live, I wish to live with a voice that speaks what I believe without fear. If the price for that is my life, it can be given," the director tweeted earlier as the controversy began.

Leena Manimekalai is also in the middle of a legal tussle with Tamil film director Susi Ganeshan over her 'Me Too' allegations against Ganeshan.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.