Nepali film ‘Panch Pandav’, directed by Basanta Niraula, has been mired in controversy even before its release, with calls for a boycott gaining momentum on social media over what some users claim is a disrespectful portrayal of Draupadi, a central character in the Hindu epic ‘Mahabharat’.

The controversy intensified after the production team released the song ‘Taniyo Taniyo’, featuring an item dance by actor Eva Giri. Some religious activists and social media users have accused the filmmakers of portraying Draupadi in a degrading manner and insulting Sanatan Hindu beliefs.

The film is scheduled to hit theatres on Friday.

Questions had already been raised after the film’s poster and trailer were released. Some viewers assumed that the story was based on characters from the ‘Mahabharat’. In the trailer, one of the characters addresses Giri as Draupadi. The release of the dance number further fuelled criticism, with some users arguing that the film had associated a revered mythological character with a bar dancer.

Two days ago, Vedika KC, a content creator who identifies herself as a religious campaigner, urged people to boycott the film through a Facebook post.

“Another mockery and attack on Sanatan Dharma cannot be tolerated any longer,” she wrote. “Insulting our faith and religion is unacceptable.”

KC also posted videos objecting to what she described as the negative portrayal of Draupadi. Several religious campaigners and other social media users have since criticised the production team. Some have also used abusive and threatening language against its director and actors.

Pushkar Khatiwada, who identifies himself as a religious leader, also appealed to Hindus not to watch the film. In a Facebook post, he argued that films such as ‘Panch Pandav’ were intended to tarnish Hindu deities and history and called for a boycott of the artists involved.

Speaking to Kantipur, KC said her objection was not to the profession of dancing but to what she considered an inappropriate transition in the portrayal of a female character.

“Performing a bar dance may be part of someone’s profession, and I am not objecting to that,” she said. “Our concern is that a woman initially presented in saffron clothing is later shown as a bar dancer.”

Director Niraula, however, says the filmmakers are being treated unfairly because people are drawing conclusions without watching the film. He argues that launching boycott campaigns based on trailers and short clips is an unhealthy trend that could discourage creative work.

“Once the film is released, people can raise questions if they find that Draupadi from the ‘Mahabharat’ has genuinely been treated unfairly,” Niraula told Kantipur. “But opposing it based on assumptions without understanding the actual story is not appropriate.”

According to him, the character shown in the film is not necessarily Draupadi from the ‘Mahabharat’. The assumption that the film retells the epic is itself misleading, he said. Niraula added that criticism was welcome after the film releases.

The controversy is not the first time this film has faced questions over its use of ‘Mahabharat’ references. When its poster was released, social media users mocked actor Jitu Nepal’s portrayal of Bhim. The production team subsequently had to clarify through the trailer that the character played by Nepal, Bhimsen, was not the Bhim of the ‘Mahabharat’.

Before a film reaches cinema halls, it is examined by the state-run Central Board of Film Censors. Manoj Pandit, an expert member of the board, also questioned the growing practice of calling for boycotts before films reach theatres.

“The biggest decision-makers are the audiences, who can decide if a film has a wrong intention after watching it in cinemas,” Pandit said.

He said the state should take action against anyone who uses social media to incite people to boycott a film or physically attack its creators. Pandit said the censor board was committed to protecting creative rights while ensuring that films reached the appropriate audience through classification.

Similar controversies have affected other Nepali films in the past. In April 2026, ‘Lalibazar’ faced opposition over its portrayal of the Badi community before its scheduled release. The dispute reached the Patan High Court, which temporarily halted its screening following a petition filed on behalf of the community. The episode also prompted filmmakers to protest against restrictions on creative freedom.

Rabindra Singh Baniya, producer and actor of ‘Lalibazar’, said social media reactions should not influence judicial or legal decisions. “Once a film has been examined and approved by the censor board, the concerned authority must take responsibility for that decision,” Baniya said. “Such matters should not be encouraged merely on the basis of rumours that a film has harmed religion or culture.”

He believes people increasingly use controversies to promote their personal agendas and gain publicity. “Targeting someone’s business, profession or lawful work because a controversy can attract attention and help advance one’s own interests is wrong,” he said.

The film ‘Ek Bhagawat Ek Gita’ also faced opposition in 2023 from religious organisations over its original title and portrayal of characters. The production team eventually agreed to change the title to ‘Ek Bhagawat Ek Gita’ following negotiations involving the Film Development Board and religious groups.

Filmmaker Ganesh Dev Pandey said religious and caste-based organisations sometimes create controversies to strengthen their influence and attract public attention.

“Nobody has the right to interfere with another person’s creative rights or force their own beliefs on others,” he said.