Cillian Murphy starrer Oppenheimer has come under criticism in India with an intimate scene that is now being featured in the movie branded as ‘unnecessary’.
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer hit the theatres on globally on July 21 and has performed positively at the box office. However, new complaints have emerged online from viewers in India who have criticised the use of a line from Hindu holy scripture Bhagavad Gita being used in a lovemaking scene.
The scene in question involves J Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy and Jean Tatlock, played by Florence Pugh, with Jean pausing intercourse to grab a copy of the Bhagavad Gita.
Read more: Facts you need to know before watching ‘Oppenheimer’
She then asks J Robert to read an extract from the scripture, “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds”, the infamous real-world quote by Oppenheimer (although not in the same context as the movie).
The film was classified with a U/A certificate by India’s Central Board of Film Certification, which means the movie contains moderate adult themes and can be watched by a child below 12 years of age under parental guidance.
Many Indian social media users expressed their disappointment in the scene. An Indian journalist named Uday Mahurkar posted a letter to Christopher Nolan on Twitter, writing: “We do not know the motivation and logic behind this unnecessary scene on life of a scientist. But this is a direct assault on religious beliefs of a billion tolerant Hindus.”
. @OppenheimerATOM
To,
Mr Christopher Nolan
Director , Oppenheimer filmDate : July 22, 2023
Reg: Film Oppenheimer’s disturbing attack on Hinduism
Dear Mr Christopher Nolan,
Namaste from Save Culture Save India Foundation.
It has come to our notice that the movie…
— Uday Mahurkar (@UdayMahurkar) July 22, 2023
He also called for the scene to be ‘removed’ from the film globally. Oppenheimer, which is currently in cinemas, is a biographical thriller based on the life of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer. The movie has Cillian Murphy playing the lead role along with Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, and Florence Pugh.
