FIR filed against Raveena Tandon for allegedly shooting in temple; actress says 'was not aware of phone ban'

Authorities of Sri Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar lodged an FIR against Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon on 7 March. The temple authorities have alleged that the actress was shooting an advertisement in the No Camera Zone, inside the premises of the 11th century and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected lord Shiva shrine.

The incident come forward after a video surfaced on social media featuring Tandon offering beauty tips inside the temple premises. The video seems to be recorded on a mobile phone. She had visited the temple on 4 March.

Watch: What made Lingaraj Temple authorities livid to lodge a FIR against Bollywood diva Raveena Tandon: An "ad shoot" inside temple pic.twitter.com/DEoJCg9Jxz

— Soumyajit Pattnaik (@soumyajitt) March 6, 2018

Speaking to The Times of India, Tandon said she wasn't there for an ad shoot. She just happened to visit the temple when people started clicking selfies and asked for beauty tips. While she was attending to their demands, someone slyly took a video and posted it on social media. She also raised questions on the security measures employed in the temple premise.

I understand temple authorities are distraught as everyone around me (organisers, security, pandits, locals) were using cellphones, clicking videos, taking selfies. I was not aware of phone ban, hence the issue: Raveena Tandon to ANI — ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018

“I had absolutely no idea about the people who were filming me. Since everyone around me was carrying cell phones, they clicked selfies with me. One of them asked me about my fitness regime and sought some beauty tips. He filmed me when I was replying to questions," said Tandon.

Speaking about the temple restrictions, Tandon further added, "I now wonder why those local authorities (who were aware of the temple restrictions) did not stop people who were carrying cell phones. The police did not frisk me nor checked my handbag while I was entering the temple. I have full respect for rules of all temples."

"The temple administration has filed a complaint against Raveena Tandon at Lingaraj Police Station for shooting an advertisement film in the no camera zone," said Rajiv Lochan Parida, the management-in-charge of the temple administration.

Admitting that such an FIR has been lodged, Bhubaneswar DCP Satybrat Bhoi said the police are examining the allegations. However he said that it "is not a cognizable offence" and that it doesn't attract any penal provision of IPC, adds the Times of India report.

Only servitors are allowed to carry mobile phones inside the temple, Parida said adding it is a clear case of violation of the security norms.

The incident has also hurt sentiments of the devotees, he said. The Archaeological Survey of India has also launched an investigation into the matter.

(With inputs from PTI)

Published Date: Mar 07, 2018 11:38 AM | Updated Date: Mar 07, 2018 11:38 AM