American Hindus Against Defamation
Web : http://www.hindunet.org/ahad/
E-mail : ajay@hindunet.org, chetanp@pacbell.net
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Warner Brothers
4000 Warner Blvd
Burbank, CA 91522
Email: wbol-admin@WARNERBROS.COM
Phone: (818) 977-7900 Fax: (818) 977-3135
August 3, 1999
To Whom It May Concern at Warner
On behalf of American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), we would like to express serious concerns about the inclusion of one of the most prominent Hindu scriptural quote, in the movie “Eyes Wide Shut”.
Midway in this movie, the character played by Tom Cruise goes to a mansion where what could best be described as an orgy party is taking place. When he enters a large room where several sex acts are taking place, the background music subsides and the shloka (scriptural recitation) from Bhagwad Gita, one of the most revered Hindu scripture is played out.
The shloka is : “Parithranaya Saadhunam
Vinashaya cha dushkrithaam Dharmasamsthabanarthaya Sambhavami yuge yuge…
which means:
“For the protection of the virtuous, for the destruction of the evil and for the firm establishment of Dharma (righteousness), I take birth and am incarnated on Earth, from age to age.”
Hundreds of Hindus have contacted us to express their shock at the use of Hindu scripture as a background for this scene in the movie. There appears to be no connection, or apparent justification for the use of this shloka. It appears to be totally out of
context!
We, American Hindus Against Defamation are baffled, disgusted and annoyed by the use of the shloka, and fail to understand your intent and the relevance of its usage. We have also been contacted by major media organizations, including BBC-London, NY Post, etc., seeking our comments.
Before we make any comments to them, we have decided to first contact you and seek a prompt and honest explanation as to why it was decided to use this scripture during this scene in the movie. We are not launching a protest at this time, however, we
do request an explanation as soon as possible.
American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD) is the pioneer Hindu rights coalition consisting of several major Hindu organizations. AHAD was responsible for movement that successfully sought withdrawal of Aerosmith – Nine Lives album cover, and recent withdrawal of Universal Television’s Xena episode “The Way” from circulation.
For more informatin about AHAD, please contact Ajay Shah (ajay@hindunet.org) or Chetan Tanna (chetanp@pacbell.net).
Sincerely,
Ajay Shah Convenor, AHAD
Chetan Tanna General Counsel, AHAD