Why people are upset with SS Rajamouli's comment on religion and how Kangana is supporting him

Actress Kangana Ranaut has extended support to filmmaker SS Rajamouli who came under attack from a section of netizens over his recent statement where he said "religion is essentially a kind of exploitation'.

What Did Rajamouli Exactly Say?

In an interview with New Yorker, he spoke about the influence of the Hindu epics Ramayana and the Mahabharatha on him and how he grew up in a religious family. "I've read these stories since I was a child, and in the beginning, they were just nice, engaging stories. As I started growing up, I read different versions of the text, and the story started evolving into something much bigger for me. I could see the characters, the conflicts within the characters, and their motivating emotions. And I started understanding and loving these texts even more. Anything that comes out of me is somehow influenced by these texts. Those texts are like oceans: every time I visit them, I find something new," he said.

On asking when he identified himself as an atheist, the 'Baahubali' creator said, "We have a giant family, and everyone-my father and mother, cousins and aunts, and everyone else-is deeply religious. I remember, as a young kid, I had doubts after reading stories about the Hindu gods. I used to think, This doesn't seem real. Then I got caught up in my family's religious fervor. I started reading religious texts, going on pilgrimages, wearing saffron cloth, and living like a sannyasi [ascetic] for a few years. Then I caught onto Christianity, thanks to some friends. I'd read the Bible, go to church, all kinds of stuff.

Gradually, all these things somehow made me feel that religion is essentially a kind of exploitation. I worked under a cousin of mine [the Telugu writer Gunnam Gangaraju] for a few months. He introduced me to Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged." I read those novels and was greatly inspired by them. I didn't understand a lot of her philosophy, but I understood the basics of it. It was around that time that I slowly started moving away from religion. Even at that time, my love for stories like the Mahabharata or the Ramayana never diminished. I did start pushing away from those texts' religious aspects, but what stayed with me was the complexity and the greatness of their drama and storytelling."

He then explained how his family responds him over moving away from religion. "They feel very sad for me, because I am going away from the path of religion. I don't say bad things about God, I never do that. I respect people's feelings because I know a lot of people depend on God a lot. Still, my father used to get angry when I used to say that I don't believe in religious rituals or that kind of stuff. Now he's made peace with it and respects my way of life," he added.

How Netizens Reacted and Kangana's Support

As netizens started attacking him over comments on religion, Kangana came to SS Rajamouli's rescque.

"Not his fault, every Hindu turns into "gyani Secular" as soon he becomes rich, famous and successful. I can given thousand of example from lower middle class turned into higher class by migrating to USA/Developed countries," a user had slammed the director.

"He uses Religion to make money in India.He abuses Religion to get awards & make money in USA," another user said.

Coming to his support, Kangana, on Twitter, wrote, "No need to overreact, it's ok not to carry Bhagwa Jhandi everywhere, our actions speak louder than words. Being a proud hindu calls upon all kind of attacks, hostility,trolling and huge amount of negativity, we make movies for everyone, we artists are vulnerable especially( cont)

Because we get no support from so called right wing as well, we are absolutely on our own, so sit down, don't even dare, I won't tolerate anything against Rajamouli sir who is like a flame in the rain, A genius and nationalist a yogi of highest order. We are blessed to have him. [sic]"

Responding to a user's comment, she commented, "Truth stands on its own it is not slave to your or mine acknowledgment,what I said is for the higher good,I have nothing to gain from this, I have never met or spoken to Rajamouli sir ever, I don't know all this negativity might not even bother him but I hail truth that's Dharma. [sic]"