A controversy broke out during the shooting of a film starring Bollywood actors Emraan Hashmi and Aparshakti Khurana in Haridwar over a bar and restaurant set created for a scene.
According to reports, members of several Hindu organisations and local priests reached the location after learning about the set. They strongly objected to the presence of a bar signboard in the holy city and staged a protest at the spot.
As opposition intensified, the film unit and the property owners removed the word “Bar” from the signboard, following which the situation was brought under control. The production team did not reveal the name of the film being shot.
Both Emraan Hashmi and Aparshakti Khurana were present in Haridwar at the time of the incident. However, neither actor has reacted to the controversy so far.
The actors are currently shooting for their upcoming film, ‘Gunmaster G9’, in Haridwar and Dehradun. Videos from the incident have also surfaced online, showing protesters arguing with members of the film crew and creating a commotion at the shooting location.
See pictures-
Written on the set in Haridwar – ‘Bar & Restaurant’.
Local people arguing with the makers on the film set.
Makers removing the bar’s board after people created a ruckus.
Aparshakti Khurana took a holy dip in the Ganges at VIP Ghat this morning.
What is visible in the video in 5 points
1. Makers were preparing the set for shooting– A 2-minute 28-second video related to the incident has surfaced, showing that the makers were preparing the set for shooting, for which the ‘Bar & Restaurant’ board was being polished from the outside.
2. Hindu activists arrived suddenly– As soon as Hindu activists received information about the incident, about 10 to 12 people reached there and started arguing with the makers, demanding the removal of the board. They can be heard saying that this is the place of Mother Ganga, and all this will not be tolerated here.
3. Argued while making a video– After this, people started making videos of the makers and crew and said “Look at this, in Haridwar… in our Haridwar! If you haven’t seen it, we’ll show you, look here in Bhatia Bhawan. ‘Bar’ and ‘Cafe’ in Haridwar!”
4. People asked who gave permission– People from the crowd angrily questioned the film unit- “You’ve come from Bombay, haven’t you? So who gave you permission to put up ‘bar’ and ‘cafe’ signs here? No such sign will be put up in Haridwar!” To this, the film crew members explained with folded hands- “Sir, we are just shooting… we have permission.”
5. Board removed after ultimatum– After this, Hindu activists gave a clear ultimatum- “No matter what permission you have, nothing against the sanctity of this holy city will happen here. Remove this board immediately!” After this, in the last part of the video, people say- “Yes, remove it… take it down completely.”
How the dispute started
It is about Bhatia Bhawan located in Shravannath Nagar, Haridwar, where Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi’s film had been shooting for the past few days. Late on Wednesday night, a “Bar & Restaurant” board was put up outside the house for the shooting of a scene from the film.
As soon as they got this information, local people reached the spot and started protesting. The protesters said that Haridwar is a world-famous pilgrimage city, where millions of devotees come with their faith.
In such a situation, putting up a bar board inside the city is a step that hurts religious sentiments. People alleged that an attempt is being made to damage the religious and cultural identity of Haridwar in the name of film shootings.
Emraan Hashmi seen roaming in Uttarakhand.
Debate continued till late night
As the protest grew, a debate continued late into the night among traders, social workers, building owners, and members of the film unit. People clearly stated that no compromise would be accepted with the dignity and sanctity of the holy city. Finally, under the pressure of the protest, the word “bar” was removed from the board, after which the matter was resolved.
Kashish Bhatia, President of Maa Ganga Vyapar Mandal, stated that he had received information that a “Bar and Restaurant” board had been put up outside the building. He said that Haridwar is a holy pilgrimage site where meat and alcohol are prohibited. In such a situation, putting up such a board even for shooting is not appropriate. He added that respecting public sentiments, the word “Bar” has been removed from the board.
Social worker Karan Pandit said that the sacred bank of Maa Ganga is located just a short distance from where the board was put up. He stated that any kind of tampering with Haridwar’s religious identity and faith will not be tolerated. Whether it is a filmmaker or a person associated with a big industry, the sanctity of the holy city is paramount.
Pilgrim priest Ujjwal Pandit said – The shooting was stopped on one of our messages.
Pilgrim priests said – It is our responsibility to maintain the sanctity of Haridwar
Pilgrim priest Ujjwal Pandit said that it is the responsibility of every citizen to maintain the sanctity of Haridwar. He said that the board was removed due to public protest and this is the result of the awareness of the city residents. He warned that in the future too, if anyone tries to harm the religious identity of Haridwar, it will be opposed.
Throughout the entire controversy, it could not be clarified which film was being shot. People associated with the film unit only said that they have permission for shooting, but the name of the film was not made public. It is reported that artists and a technical team from Mumbai have arrived in Haridwar for the shooting.
