The producers of Kabaddi 4: The Final Match have decided to go ahead with the release of the Nepali film in Sikkim and neighbouring areas on June 17 despite protests raised by Buddhist organisations in the state against an alleged assault on a monk by one of the leading actresses.

Addressing a press conference in Gangtok on Monday, the film’s executive producer Anmol Gurung apologised to monks and all followers of the Buddhist faith for the incident. “A very unfortunate incident happened in Kathmandu. This has hurt the feelings of many followers of the Buddhist faith for which we are sorry. We apologise,” he said with folded hands.

Miruna Magar, one of the two lead actresses, is alleged to have slapped Phurba Lama, a monk, at one of film’s promotional events in Kathmandu, Nepal, last month for allegedly touching her inappropriately.

The monks of Sikkim have, however, interpreted the assault on Lama as an affront to them because there was apparently no evidence to show Magar being groped by the monk.

Gurung said following the incident, both Magar and Lama had met and settled the matter amicably, but things escalated after both of them started giving statements in the media.

“Unfortunately, the narrative has now shifted from seeking justice for Phurba Lama to the boycott of Kabaddi 4, and this is happening only here (in Sikkim),” he said, adding that the movie was being screened in many parts of the world and was in its third week in Nepal.

The Kalimpong-born Gurung said despite the controversy generated by the Kathmandu incident and protests by Buddhist monks, the film would be released in Sikkim as well as neighbouring Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri.

“The boycott Kabaddi 4 narrative has to change. My narrative is this: Stand with Kabaddi and justice for Phurba Lama,” he said, adding that Magar, too, should be give justice.

Kabaddi 4 is the final sequel to the popular celluloid work and is a joint production of the Nepal-based Basuri Films and Sikkim-based Sushma Productions. The previous three films, which star Dayahang Rai, Nepali movie industry’s most bankable actor, in the lead role were hits.

Buddhist organisations in Sikkim, including All Sikkim Monks’ Association and Sikkim Lama Association, had appealed against the release of the film till such time Magar apologised to Lama. Gurung, however, said it was not possible to compel an individual to apologise, but as a unit, the entire team of Kabaddi 4 was genuinely sorry for the incident.