Hindu seers from Ayodhya town in India's Uttar Pradesh state have come out against the movie Pathaan, as demands to prevent the release of the film continue to mount across the country.
Mahant Paramhans Acharya of Tapasvi Chhavni, a revered Hindu sect hailing from the pilgrimage center of Ayodhya, have made a public appeal to boycott Pathaan, alleging it "insults" the sacred color of saffron, worn by holy men in Hinduism.
"They have insulted our Bhagwa rang (saffron color). Such films should be boycotted...Shah Rukh Khan has made no web series about his own religion, or the life of the Prophet, because he has no guts... He only insults Hinduism."
"...Insulting Sanatan Dharma has been made a means of earning money. If it is done, a death sentence will be given. I will burn Shah Rukh alive if I see him," Paramhans Acharya told reporters.
He is not the only Hindu seer to protest against the upcoming film since its first song "Besharam Rang" premiered on television last week.
Mahant Raju Das, chief priest of the 10th century Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya, also slammed the movie.
What's more, a number of Indian politicians have also advocated against its release, including Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra, State Assembly Speaker Girish Gautam, and senior Congress politicians, including former federal minister Suresh Pachouri and leader of the opposition Dr. Govind Singh.
The whole controversy was triggered by Padukone's outfit in the film's theme song titled "Besharam Rang." Notably, "Besharam Rang" means "shameless color" in English, something opponents of the film have highlighted, claiming Padukone's attire is demeaning to the Hindu faith.
Mishra has even threatened to block the release of Pathaan in his state if certain scenes featuring Deepika Padukone in which she can be seen sporting a saffron-colored bikini are not removed or edited.