From ‘The Kerala Story’ to ‘Pathaan’: 12 Indian films that faced massive controversy before release

Cinema often sparks heated debates even before a film reaches theatres. In India, movies frequently face backlash over historical accuracy, religious sentiments, or political themes. Such controversies can trigger protests, legal battles, and social media storms — often increasing public curiosity in the process. Here are twelve notable Indian films that encountered significant pre-release turbulence.

The film follows three women who are lured into joining ISIS. Directed by Sudipto Sen and starring Adah Sharma, it explores themes of forced conversion and radicalisation. The project drew intense criticism over its initial claim that 32,000 women had disappeared from Kerala. While critics labelled it propaganda, supporters praised its boldness. Several states even considered banning it before the Supreme Court intervened. The film remains a polarising chapter in Indian cinema.

Manoj Bajpayee stars as a corrupt officer in this 2026 Netflix thriller by Ritesh Shah and Neeraj Pandey. The story centres on a morally compromised policeman navigating a network of bribery and corruption. The title sparked outrage, with many alleging that pairing “Pandat” with “Ghooskhor” was derogatory toward the Brahmin community. Following legal notices and protests, the producers agreed to change the title, clarifying that it referred only to a character’s colloquial nickname.

Akshay Kumar and Manushi Chhillar headline this historical drama directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi. The film portrays the life of King Prithviraj Chauhan and his battle against Muhammad Ghori. The Karni Sena objected to the original title, Prithviraj, demanding the inclusion of the royal honorific “Samrat.” They also raised concerns about historical accuracy and representation. The makers eventually revised the title to facilitate a smoother release.

Originally titled Laxmmi Bomb, the horror-comedy directed by Raghava Lawrence and starring Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani faced objections for allegedly disrespecting Goddess Laxmi. Some groups also accused the film of promoting “Love Jihad.” To address concerns, the title was shortened to Laxmii prior to its digital release. The film ultimately received mixed reviews.

'Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starring Alia Bhatt, the biographical drama traces Gangubai’s rise from victimhood to a powerful figure in Mumbai’s Kamathipura. Members of her family filed lawsuits, alleging that the film defamed her and misrepresented her legacy. Protests also emerged over the portrayal of Kamathipura. After legal proceedings, the court allowed the film to release as scheduled.

Starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, this Sanjay Leela Bhansali epic faced widespread protests. Groups such as the Karni Sena alleged the existence of a romantic dream sequence between Queen Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji. Although the filmmakers denied these claims, violent demonstrations erupted, sets were vandalised, and the director was attacked. The film’s title was changed from Padmavati to Padmaavat before release. It went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of its time.

Directed by Karan Johar and starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the romantic drama ran into controversy due to the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. Amid heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan, protests threatened to disrupt its release. Johar later issued a video statement promising not to collaborate with Pakistani talent in future projects.

The original title, Ram-Leela, offended some religious groups who believed it disrespected a sacred term. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, the film follows a tragic love story between two rival clans. After legal challenges, the title was modified to Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela. Despite the controversy, the film became a commercial success.

Ashutosh Gowariker’s historical romance, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, faced protests from Rajput groups who disputed the historical portrayal of Jodhaa Bai’s marriage to Akbar. Screenings were blocked in certain regions, and critics accused the film of taking liberties with historical facts. Despite the opposition, it received critical acclaim and won several awards.

The song “Besharam Rang” triggered significant backlash ahead of the film’s release. Directed by Siddharth Anand and starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham, the action thriller faced protests over Deepika’s saffron-coloured outfit in the song. Boycott calls trended widely on social media. The CBFC recommended several edits before clearance. Upon release, the film emerged as a blockbuster and marked a major comeback for Shah Rukh Khan.

Karan Johar’s drama starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol encountered protests after Khan commented on the inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the IPL. The Shiv Sena opposed the film’s release in Mumbai, leading to heavy police security at cinemas. Despite the threats, the film opened to packed theatres and was widely appreciated for its exploration of identity and prejudice.

Directed by Abhishek Chaubey and starring Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Kareena Kapoor Khan, the film delves into the issue of drug abuse in Punjab. The Central Board of Film Certification initially demanded 89 cuts and suggested dropping “Punjab” from the title, citing concerns about the state’s portrayal. The Bombay High Court later cleared the film with only one cut, describing it as important social commentary. The decision was widely seen as a victory for creative freedom.