Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday cautioned filmmakers against glorifying negative characters and said there was a time when attempts were made to portray the villains of society as heroes.
He made the remarks after he, along with his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Mohan Yadav, jointly inaugurated three-day epic play Samrat Vikramaditya at Banaras Locomotive Works ground, Varanasi.
“Emperor Vikramaditya was not merely a king; he was a symbol of justice, righteousness, and public welfare. His life serves as a source of inspiration for us all,” Adityanath said.
“The presentation of this play is not merely a theatrical performance; it will also serve as a medium to reconnect people with their core values. There was a time when attempts were made to portray the villains of society as heroes—a trend that undoubtedly had a detrimental impact on subsequent generations. However, times have changed today,” he said.
He also highlighted the significance of the temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, noting that it was originally built by Emperor Vikramaditya in the past.
The production featured a cast of over 225 artists, alongside elephants, horses, chariots, palanquins, magnificent battle sequences, light shows, fireworks, dance performances, and glimpses of Baba Mahakal’s Bhashma Arti.
Earlier, Mohan Yadav also addressed the gathering and highlighted the legacy of Vikramaditya.
“Vikramaditya’s name is synonymous with justice and valour. This play based on his life is not only entertaining but also educative,” he said.
The Maharaja Vikramaditya Research Chair (Shodhapeeth), Ujjain, organised the event.Mohan Yadav conceptualised the grand theatrical production. It is written by Padma Shri Dr Bhagwatilal Rajpurohit, produced by Rajesh Kushwaha, and directed by Sanjeev Malviya.
Adityanath was welcomed by Yadav with a religious plaque and a bouquet of flowers. Yadav also presented a 700-kilogram Vikramaditya Vedic clock, which will be installed in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Saturday.
