Manoj Muntashir Says He Apologized Repeatedly for Adipurush, Defends Film’s Songs
MUMBAI–Indian lyricist and screenwriter Manoj Muntashir has acknowledged mistakes in the 2023 mythological film Adipurush, saying he apologized repeatedly to devotees of Lord Ram over the controversy surrounding the movie. However, he strongly defended its songs, maintaining that they were written with devotion, dedication and poetic sincerity.
Muntashir addressed the controversy in a post on X, formerly Twitter, while responding to remarks made by a television news channel in connection with the upcoming film Ramayana Part 1, starring Ranbir Kapoor.
The lyricist criticized the channel for invoking his work on Adipurush while discussing music associated with the new adaptation of the Hindu epic.
“Manoj Muntashir wala kaarnama? Badi jahilon jaisi baat ki hai desh ke swayamghoshit sarvashreshth news channel ne. Mere bhai, kaash Ramayan ke geeton mein mera wala kaarnama dohraya jaata,” he wrote in Hindi.
Translated into English, Muntashir said the country’s self-proclaimed best news channel had made an ignorant remark and that he wished his achievements in writing songs for Adipurush had been repeated in the music for Ramayana.
Muntashir did not attempt to defend the overall quality of Adipurush, directed by Om Raut and starring Prabhas. Instead, he openly criticized the film and its dialogue while arguing that its songs continued to resonate with audiences.
“Aadipurush bahut kharaab film thi, samvaad aur bhi kharaab the, lekin geet toh desh ka bachcha-bachcha gaata hai. Kabhi jaiye Shri Ayodhyapuri, gali-gali mein Aadipurush ke hi geet baj rahe hote hain,” he wrote.
He said in English that Adipurush was a very bad film and its dialogue was even worse, but claimed that children across the country still sing its songs. He added that the music could be heard throughout Ayodhya.
The lyricist also addressed the criticism he faced following the film’s release, saying he had repeatedly sought forgiveness from Lord Ram’s devotees for his mistakes.
“Jo galti mujhse hui, maine uske liye anginat baar Ram bhakton se kshama maangi aur kshama mili bhi, lekin geeton ko challenge mat kariye. Unmein shraddha, samarpan aur kavitt ki koi kami nahi thi. Na maine Ram ke liye nursery rhymes likhin, na kawwaliyan. Aage log samajhdaar hain, jaante hain kaun kitne paani mein hai. Jai Shri Ram,” he wrote.
Muntashir said he had apologized countless times and believed he had been forgiven. However, he urged critics not to question the songs, insisting that they reflected devotion, commitment and poetic quality.
He also rejected comparisons that he believed diminished the seriousness of his compositions, saying he had written neither nursery rhymes nor qawwalis for Lord Ram.
Released in 2023, Adipurush was a cinematic adaptation of the Ramayana that featured Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, Saif Ali Khan, Sunny Singh and Devdatta Nage.
The film faced widespread criticism over its dialogue and creative choices and ultimately failed to meet box office expectations.
Muntashir’s latest comments reflect his continued willingness to acknowledge the film’s shortcomings while defending the artistic and devotional intent behind its music. (Source: IANS)
