Hollywood: Controversy surrounds Christopher Nolan’s latest film, ‘Oppenheimer,’ due to a scene that has garnered criticism from Indian audiences. The scene features J Robert Oppenheimer, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, engaging in an intimate moment with Jean Tatlock, played by Florence Pugh. During this scene, Tatlock asks Oppenheimer about a phrase from the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture, which she notices on his shelf. He responds with the iconic line, ‘I am become death, destroyer of worlds,’ before the intimate encounter takes place.

The film’s portrayal of this scene has sparked outrage among netizens, with many accusing Nolan of disrespecting the sacred Bhagavad Gita and playing with Hindu sentiments. Twitter users expressed their displeasure and some called for a boycott of the film. The founder of Save Culture Save India Foundation wrote a scathing letter, condemning the scene as a direct assault on the religious beliefs of tolerant Hindus and urged Nolan to remove it from the movie.

Before the film’s release, the Indian media celebrated the incorporation of the Gita’s quote into the protagonist’s storyline, with Cillian Murphy reportedly immersing himself in the text for his role. However, the excitement turned to disappointment and anger when viewers discovered the context in which the quote was used.

While it is known that J Robert Oppenheimer had an interest in the Bhagavad Gita and carried a copy of it during significant moments in his life, the inclusion of the scripture in the intimate scene seems to be a fictional creation by Nolan for dramatic effect. The film’s portrayal has led to debate about the creative liberties taken by the director and the responsibility to handle sensitive religious themes with care.