Brahmastra Ujjain temple controversy: Ayan Mukerji says Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt not visiting is 'on him'

On Wednesday, the director of Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor's upcoming film Brahmastra, Ayan Mukerji, spoke about the controversy revolving around his visit to Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple on Tuesday. 

It so happened that the three of them—Alia Bhatt, Ayan Mukerji and Ranbir Kapoor—were set to visit the temple for darshan since the journey of the film had started from Ujjain. However, the actors could not enter because of Bajrang Dal protestors outside the temple.

The protest was about Ranbir Kapoor's old comments on beef that had somehow resurfaced on social media. 

During the press conference in New Delhi, Ayan Mukerji, who was not asked about it originally, decided to take up the controversial question as he felt as the director of the moivie it was his responsibility. 

 "In MP, I felt really bad honestly that Ranbir and Alia did not come with me to darshan at Mahakaleshwar. There's a history to it. I had gone there before my motion poster had released and I had told myself that before the release of the film, I would definitely go there. Both of them were very keen to come with me. And honestly, till the end, they were keen. But when we reached there and heard about the protest, I felt let me go alone. Eventually I had gone to seek blessings for the film and that is for everyone. I just didn't want to take Alia there in her current condition. Eventually, when I went there I felt, they could have gone there and gotten their darshan. So that is on me. I felt very bad," said the director. 

Ayan further addressed the boycott calls on social media and said that once the movie is out, people will understand that the film is rooted in Indian culture and spirituality. 

“With the whole marketing thing of this film, my aim is that we must only spread positivity because that is what the whole world needs. This film is so much celebration of Indian culture, so deeply and naturally, I feel every single person is going to feel that when it releases in two days. So yes, that positive energy of the film will touch people," explained Ayan Mukerji. 

Produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and directed by Ayan Mukerji, Brahmastra is releasing in theaters on September 9, 2022.