Outrage in India over poster of smoking goddess

A film poster that depicts a woman dressed as Hindu goddess Kali smoking a cigarette has sparked anger in India.

Director Leena Manimekalai tweeted the poster of her new film Kaali - described as a “performance documentary” - on Saturday. Since then, it has generated hundreds of responses from angry Hindus, who have accused her of offending their religious sentiments.

Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction, is worshipped by millions of people. On Monday, Ms Manimekalai’s name trended on social media in India as many called for her to be arrested. The filmmaker, who is currently studying in Canada, told the BBC that the goddess she depicts in her film “champions humanity and embraces diversity”.

“As a poet and filmmaker, I embody Kaali in my own independent vision,” she said. The depiction of religious figures on screen is a sensitive issue in India. In 2015, the country’s censor board demanded several cuts in the Bollywood film Angry Indian Goddesses, which showed images of Hindu goddesses.