- Friday, April 18, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Randeep Hooda has found himself at the centre of a heated controversy following a scene in his latest film Jaat, which has drawn sharp criticism from the Christian community in India. The Bollywood film, also starring Sunny Deol, was released on 10 April and has since sparked religious outrage over a scene involving a church that many have labelled as disrespectful and offensive to Christian sentiments. Protesters have gone so far as to chant slogans like “Randeep Hooda murdabad”, calling for an immediate ban on the film.
The controversy stems from a particular sequence in Jaat showing Hooda’s character standing inside a church beneath a crucifix placed above the sacred pulpit. The trailer also depicts scenes of violence within the church, along with visuals of a congregation engaged in prayer.
These elements have been widely condemned by members of the Christian community, who argue that the film desecrates a sacred space for dramatic effect. The scene has been branded insensitive, with accusations levelled at the filmmakers for hurting religious sentiments in pursuit of cinematic drama.
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Plans for public protests were halted due to police intervention; however, community leaders escalated their concerns by submitting a formal memorandum to the Joint Commissioner. Their demands include an immediate halt to the film’s screening and legal action against those involved in the production, particularly Randeep Hooda. They argue the film has insulted their faith and caused widespread distress among Christian viewers.
In a strongly worded statement, community representatives issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the authorities, warning of large-scale protests if their concerns are not addressed.
They have also questioned the Central Board of Film Certification’s role in approving the controversial scene, asking how such content was allowed to pass without objection. Leaders are urging filmmakers to exercise greater sensitivity and responsibility when depicting religious symbols and places of worship.
Despite the ongoing uproar, Jaat has performed relatively well at the box office. According to figures from industry tracker Sacnilk, the film has amassed over ₹53.50 crore (approximately £5.1 million or $6.4 million USD) within its first week of release. On Tuesday alone, it earned around ₹6 crore (roughly £570,000 or $720,000 USD) in India.
The film, backed by Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory, boasts a stellar ensemble cast that includes Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda, Regena Cassandra, Saiyami Kher, Jagapathi Babu, Ramya Krishnan, and others. Jaat follows the story of a mysterious drifter, portrayed by Sunny Deol, who arrives in a village in Chirala, Andhra Pradesh.
The village is ruled with an iron fist by Ranatunga (played by Randeep Hooda) and his wife Bharathi (Regena). A minor confrontation spirals into a major rebellion, with Deol’s character emerging as the reluctant saviour of the oppressed villagers.
With religious tensions simmering and community leaders doubling down on their demands, it remains uncertain how the makers of Jaat will navigate the backlash—or whether it will impact the film’s future screenings in Indian cinemas.
