Sadhus say no to Sunny Leone: Actor’s New Year show in Mathura cancelled; Rs 30 lakh revenue loss expected

AGRA: A proposed New Year programme featuring Bollywood actor Sunny Leone at a prominent rooftop restaurant in Mathura was cancelled after saints and religious organisations strongly objected to it. They said events like this were against religious traditions of Braj region and would hurt the sentiments of the devotees.Priests said Mathura is a "divine land" and hence such events should not be held. A letter was also written in that regard to the district administration. Dinesh Sharma Falahaari of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas said, "Braj Bhoomi is the land of penance of the deities. It is here that Lord Krishna performed the Maha Raas, the Makhan Chori Leela and the Raas Leela. In such a sacred land, if an actress associated with pornographic films dances on Braj Bhoomi, it will deeply hurts the sentiments of our revered Lord..."Speaking to TOI, event organiser Mitul Pathak said Sunny Leone is known in India as an artist and the event was planned as a DJ performance, not in any other capacity.Pathak added that all administrative and legal norms were followed for the event. "Despite this, we decided to cancel the programme in view of social and religious sentiments. A revenue loss of Rs 30 lakh is expected due to the cancellation of the event. The DJ show was planned for a limited audience of 300 people, with ticketed entry, on Jan 1," Pathak said.Leone, in a promotional video released by the bar earlier, said: "I am super excited to tell you that I am coming to Mathura on Jan 1 as a DJ to kick-start the New Year with an unforgettable night."