Source: Hindustan Times, November 27, 2000
VARANASI, INDIA: Vedic scholars in Varanasi have taken exception to a scene in the film “Mohabbatein” by Yash Chopra, now under production, in which Amitabh Bachchan recites the sacred Gayatri Mantra with his shoes on. Just last year another movie production company (“Water”) was chased out of Varanasi for complaints over insults to Hinduism. Dr. Kaushal Kishore Mishra, who led the protest against “Water” said a permanent committee will be formed to review all films that might insult Hinduism. Bachchan denied the accusations, telling Press Trust of India, “I am a deeply religious person and cannot even dream of any kind of disrespect to religious sentiments.” Producer Chopra said the criticism was “absolutely incorrect, unjust, erroneous and uncalled for.”