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Subhash Ghai Comes Out In Support Of Radhe Maa, Says She Treats Him Like A Parent

Subhash Ghai Has Said He and His Wife Are Like Parents To Radhe Maa
MUMBAI, INDIA - AUGUST 27: (file photo) Radhe Maa, self-proclaimed Godwoman, visits Siddhivinayak Temple, Prabhadevi, on August 27, 2012 in Mumbai, India. Radhe Maa has been accused of dowry harassment by a woman, who has filed an FIR or police complaint in Mumbai. The woman has said that her husband's family tortured her on the godwoman's advice and forced her to serve Radhe Maa, do chores for her and give her massages. Radhe Maa's real name is Sukhvinder Kaur. She was born on 4 April 1965 in Dorangala village of Gurdaspur district in Punjab. Her followers state that she was drawn to spirituality as a child, and spent a lot of time at the Kali temple in her village. However, according to people of her village, she did not show any spiritual leanings as a child. At the age of 23, she became a disciple of Mahant Ram Deen Das of 1008 Paramhans Bagh Dera Mukerian in Hoshiarpur district. Ram Deen Das oversaw her deeksha (initiation ceremony), and gave her the title Radhe Maa. She is usually seen in glittering red bridal wear, heavy jewellery and layers of make-up. Thick garlands and a trident complete the picture. She used to stitch clothes to support her husband's small income. (Photo by Vijayanand Gupta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Hindustan Times via Getty Images
MUMBAI, INDIA - AUGUST 27: (file photo) Radhe Maa, self-proclaimed Godwoman, visits Siddhivinayak Temple, Prabhadevi, on August 27, 2012 in Mumbai, India. Radhe Maa has been accused of dowry harassment by a woman, who has filed an FIR or police complaint in Mumbai. The woman has said that her husband's family tortured her on the godwoman's advice and forced her to serve Radhe Maa, do chores for her and give her massages. Radhe Maa's real name is Sukhvinder Kaur. She was born on 4 April 1965 in Dorangala village of Gurdaspur district in Punjab. Her followers state that she was drawn to spirituality as a child, and spent a lot of time at the Kali temple in her village. However, according to people of her village, she did not show any spiritual leanings as a child. At the age of 23, she became a disciple of Mahant Ram Deen Das of 1008 Paramhans Bagh Dera Mukerian in Hoshiarpur district. Ram Deen Das oversaw her deeksha (initiation ceremony), and gave her the title Radhe Maa. She is usually seen in glittering red bridal wear, heavy jewellery and layers of make-up. Thick garlands and a trident complete the picture. She used to stitch clothes to support her husband's small income. (Photo by Vijayanand Gupta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Self-styled godwoman Radhe Maa was booked in a dowry harassment case Thursday, and since then has been a trending topic on social media, with photos of her dancing to Bollywood tunes, and celebrities posting opinions on both ends of the spectrum.

Subhash Ghai, chairman of Mukta Arts, is clearly a devotee. He has said that he and his wife are like her parents.

Sg on Radhey Maa Yes. Being the devotees of mata Vaishnu Devi Me n my wife mukta have been visiting Radhey Maa to take...

Posted by Subhash Ghai on Friday, August 7, 2015

Subhash Ghai comes to godwoman Radhe Maa rescue

http://t.co/RPvfoy7qcfpic.twitter.com/SCSrhoJFT1

— India Today (@IndiaToday) August 8, 2015

Ghai reacted after photographs of Radhe Maa, dressed in a miniskirt and lounging on a couch, went viral on social media. A video of her dancing to Bollywood songs was also shared widely.

Gajendra Chauhan, locked in a struggle with students of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) who are protesting his appointment as director, also seems to be a devoted fan.

An aspiring FTII student blessing an spiring FTII Principal. Jai ho Radhe Radhe!!! pic.twitter.com/GHeCQZGnPR

— rishi kapoor (@chintskap) August 7, 2015

Ghai's devotion is not shared by several others. Rishi Kapoor, who shared Chauhan's photo with Radhe Maa, also mocked her on Twitter in a series of posts.

Jaago India Jaago!Kamzori ka faida uthaya ja raha hai by these actors. I am too, but I entertain not deceive. Sochna! pic.twitter.com/uA8cxyH2MS

— rishi kapoor (@chintskap) August 7, 2015

Paresh Rawal, actor, said comparing Radhe Maa with Rakhi Sawant was not fair. “Ppl shouldn’t compare this fake Hindu Godwoman with Rakhi Sawant..Rakhi earns her living by hard work...she doesn’t fake religion for that,” Paresh Rawal tweeted. The post has been deleted.

Radhe Maa was born Sukhwinder Kaur in 1969 in Gurdaspur, Punjab, and proclaimed herself as a 'guru' in 1992. There are other cases filed against her, apart from dowry harassment. Falguni Brahmbhatt, a lawyer, has filed a police complaint against her for misleading people in the name of religion.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.