Brahmins up in arms against Mohan Babu’s film

Hyderabad: Prominent Telugu film producer-actor Mohan Babu and his son Manchu Vishnu seems to have bitten more than they can chew over the issue of allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Brahmins in their latest film “Denikaina Ready” (Ready for anything).

Even as Brahmin organizations were staging protests demanding a ban on the film or deleting the scenes they found objectionable, the controversy took a completely new turn last night. A group of people, reported to be private security guards of Mohan Babu and Vishnu beat up a group of protestors who tried to stage a dharna at their residence in Jubilee Hills. At least two persons were badly injured as the security guards pounced on them.

The matter today reached the State Human Rights Commission as Manchu Vishnu on one hand and Brahmin protestors on the other knocked on its doors. Both of them sought commission’s intervention for their protection. Manchu Vishnu alleged that his residence was attacked by some people in the name of protests. The commission directed the Hyderabad city police commissioner to investigate the matter and submit its report by November 22.

On a complaint of the Brahmins organizations that their members were beaten up by supporters of Mohan Babu, the commission direct the police to probe and submit its report by November 28. Continuing their protests the Brahmin organisations also staged a dharna at the RTC roads in the city.

Denying that the film had any scene or dialogue denigrating the Brahmins, Mohan Babu and Vishnu have defended the film. Vishnu alleged that some vested interests were behind the protest against his film. But on the directives of a local court Hyderabad police has registered a complaint against father son duo as well as film director. A case has also been booked by the police in Guntur district.

Brahmins have been staging protests at cinema halls screening the films and have even taken out a mock funeral of Mohan Babu.

Meanwhile Mohan Babu was also coming under pressure from political leaders to tender an apology. Congress MLAs Malladi Vishnu has warned that if Mohan Babu does not apologise for attack on Brahmin protestors, consequences will be grim.