Telugu movie title changed after protest by Valmikis

Hyderabad: With Boya Valmiki community threatening to disrupt the screening of Telugu film ‘Valmiki’, the makers changed the title ‘Gaddhalakonda Ganesh’ hours before the movie’s release on Friday.
Authorities in Kurnool and Anantapur districts of Andhra Pradesh had stopped the release of the movie after Boya community members threatened to disrupt its screening in theatres. The district collectors had asked the filmmakers to resolve the issue.
In a decision taken late Thursday, the producers changed the title to ‘Gaddhalakonda Ganesh.’ The Boya community has long been protesting over the film’s title. Claiming to be the descendants of the sage Valmiki, who wrote the Ramayana, they said the title ‘Valmiki’ would hurt their sentiments.
A few groups had petitioned the Censor Board. Some had even approached the Telangana High Court, which declined to stay the film’s release.
Director Harish Shankar said the decision to change the title was painful as the groups were adamant without watching the movie, though they were willing to arrange special screening for them.