An epic historical drama film has become the latest political flashpoint in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The film tells the story of Baji Prabhu Deshpande, a commander of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's forces, who founded the Maratha Empire in the mid-17th century. On Monday, the film's screening in a Thane mall was stopped by Jitendra Awhad, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, claiming that the film distorts the Maratha history. He and other NCP leaders stormed a theatre and asked the audience to leave. As per a Thane police officer (as told to&nbsp;The Indian Express), some moviegoers were also assaulted. The incident occurred soon after NCP had warned the film industry that inaccuracies about historical facts about Shivaji’s life will not be tolerated.

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The controversy over the movie had begun when Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, a Rajya Sabha MP (member of parliament) and a scion of Shivaji, said on Sunday in a press conference that two movies were distorting history. One was 'Har Har Mahadev' and the second was the upcoming film 'Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat'.

“A number of inaccuracies have been pointed out in the recently released movie Har Har Mahadev. We are also hearing about the distortion of facts in Vedant Marathe Veer Daudale Saat. If any such movie is made we will not only oppose it but will stall their release," he said.

'Har Har Mahadev' is written and directed by Abhijeet Deshpande. It features Subodh Bhave as Shivaji and Sharad Kelkar as &nbsp;Baji Prabhu Deshpande. Amruta Khanvilkar, Nishigandha Wad, Sayali Sanjeev, Hardeek Joshi, Milind Shinde, Kishore Kadam, Nitish Chavan, and Ashok Shinde play pivotal roles in the movie. The film, released on October 25, has received mostly positive reviews.

The Indian Express reported that on Tuesday an FIR was registered against Jitendra Awhad under rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, and provoking breach of trust sections.&nbsp;

After the screening disruption, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a political party led by firebrand politician Raj Thackeray, has jumped into the fray. MNS has challenged NCP of halting the screening in Thane on Tuesday.

“We will screen the movie in Thane. We challenge NCP and Awhad to stall the movie…For 8-10 days, when the movie was being screened, they kept quiet. And now they are protesting,” MNS leader Avinash Jadhav said as per The Indian Express.

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An epic historical drama film has become the latest political flashpoint in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The film tells the story of Baji Prabhu Deshpande, a commander of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's forces, who founded the Maratha Empire in the mid-17th century.

An epic historical drama film has become the latest political flashpoint in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The film tells the story of Baji Prabhu Deshpande, a commander of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's forces, who founded the Maratha Empire in the mid-17th century. On Monday, the film's screening in a Thane mall was stopped by Jitendra Awhad, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, claiming that the film distorts the Maratha history. He and other NCP leaders stormed a theatre and asked the audience to leave. As per a Thane police officer (as told to The Indian Express), some moviegoers were also assaulted. The incident occurred soon after NCP had warned the film industry that inaccuracies about historical facts about Shivaji’s life will not be tolerated. The controversy over the movie had begun when Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, a Rajya Sabha MP (member of parliament) and a scion of Shivaji, said on Sunday in a press conference that two movies were distorting history. One was 'Har Har Mahadev' and the second was the upcoming film 'Vedat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat'. “A number of inaccuracies have been pointed out in the recently released movie Har Har Mahadev. We are also hearing about the distortion of facts in Vedant Marathe Veer Daudale Saat. If any such movie is made we will not only oppose it but will stall their release," he said. 'Har Har Mahadev' is written and directed by Abhijeet Deshpande. It features Subodh Bhave as Shivaji and Sharad Kelkar as Baji Prabhu Deshpande. Amruta Khanvilkar, Nishigandha Wad, Sayali Sanjeev, Hardeek Joshi, Milind Shinde, Kishore Kadam, Nitish Chavan, and Ashok Shinde play pivotal roles in the movie. The film, released on October 25, has received mostly positive reviews. The Indian Express reported that on Tuesday an FIR was registered against Jitendra Awhad under rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, and provoking breach of trust sections. After the screening disruption, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a political party led by firebrand politician Raj Thackeray, has jumped into the fray. MNS has challenged NCP of halting the screening in Thane on Tuesday. “We will screen the movie in Thane. We challenge NCP and Awhad to stall the movie…For 8-10 days, when the movie was being screened, they kept quiet. And now they are protesting,” MNS leader Avinash Jadhav said as per The Indian Express.

'Har Har Mahadev' row: FIR filed against NCP leader after film's Thane screening disruption

Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Ganga Maiya Ki Jai' rented the air as lakhs of devotees took dip at Sangam the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers here on the auspicious occasion of Maghi Purnima.

The penultimate bathing day of the over 50-day-long Kumbh Mela, Maghi Purnima marks the end of the month-long penance period of Kalpwasi pilgrims.

"Kalpwasis are usually regarded the most faithful pilgrims of Prayaga Kumbh Mela. They vow to live an austere and minimalist life on the banks of the Ganga for a month.

"After today's holy bath they all will head back to their respective homes," explained an old ascetic.

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A Naga sadhu sits on the banks of Sangam — the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj. (AFP Photo)

A nip in the air failed to deter the overwhelming crowd of devotees seen taking the holy dip as early as 4 am, despite vehicle restrictions in the vicinity of the makeshift township of Kumbh Nagri.

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"I have seen that the crowd picks up later in the day. So it makes sense to take the dip early in the morning," said Aditya Langar from Pathankot, who was busy drying up his clothes after taking the dip.

Forty-nine special trains and 2,500 buses were pressed into service by the administration to ferry devotees from far away places to the Kumbh on Maghi Purnima.

Though not a shahi snan, Maghi Purnima like Paush Purnima and Maha Shivratri&nbsp;is called a 'parv snan' and is part of the six important bathing days during the Kumbh.

The belief is that a dip in the Ganga on an auspicious day washes away sins.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday declared the day Maghi Purnima a public holiday.

According to the administration, over 1.50 crore devotees are expected to take the holy dip by the end of the day. As many as 40 bathing ghats have been prepared to manage the crowd.

Over 1.07 crore pilgrims had taken the dip in Sangam area on Paush Purnima on January 21.

The grand festival, which commenced on Makar Sankranti (January 15), will mark the last bathing day on March 4 on Maha Shivratri.&nbsp;

Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Ganga Maiya Ki Jai' rented the air as lakhs of devotees took dip at Sangam the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers here on the auspicious occasion of Maghi Purnima.

Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Ganga Maiya Ki Jai' rented the air as lakhs of devotees took dip at Sangam the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers here on the auspicious occasion of Maghi Purnima. The penultimate bathing day of the over 50-day-long Kumbh Mela, Maghi Purnima marks the end of the month-long penance period of Kalpwasi pilgrims. "Kalpwasis are usually regarded the most faithful pilgrims of Prayaga Kumbh Mela. They vow to live an austere and minimalist life on the banks of the Ganga for a month. "After today's holy bath they all will head back to their respective homes," explained an old ascetic. A Naga sadhu sits on the banks of Sangam — the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj. (AFP Photo) A nip in the air failed to deter the overwhelming crowd of devotees seen taking the holy dip as early as 4 am, despite vehicle restrictions in the vicinity of the makeshift township of Kumbh Nagri. "I have seen that the crowd picks up later in the day. So it makes sense to take the dip early in the morning," said Aditya Langar from Pathankot, who was busy drying up his clothes after taking the dip. Forty-nine special trains and 2,500 buses were pressed into service by the administration to ferry devotees from far away places to the Kumbh on Maghi Purnima. Though not a shahi snan, Maghi Purnima like Paush Purnima and Maha Shivratri is called a 'parv snan' and is part of the six important bathing days during the Kumbh. The belief is that a dip in the Ganga on an auspicious day washes away sins. The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday declared the day Maghi Purnima a public holiday. According to the administration, over 1.50 crore devotees are expected to take the holy dip by the end of the day. As many as 40 bathing ghats have been prepared to manage the crowd. Over 1.07 crore pilgrims had taken the dip in Sangam area on Paush Purnima on January 21. The grand festival, which commenced on Makar Sankranti (January 15), will mark the last bathing day on March 4 on Maha Shivratri.

Kumbh Mela 2019: Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' rent air as devotees take holy dip on 'Maghi Purnima'

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'Har Har Mahadev' row: FIR filed against NCP leader after film's Thane screening disruption

Kumbh Mela 2019: Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' rent air as devotees take holy dip on 'Maghi Purnima'