Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has taken a jibe at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, referencing the recently released biopic 'Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi' to suggest that the BJP government in the state is on its way out. Yadav's comments, laced with sarcasm, imply that the film's apparent failure reflects a broader rejection of the BJP's governance.
Yadav alluded to the film's poor performance, noting that even BJP MLAs seemed to have avoided watching it. He quipped, "It seems the filmmakers forgot to issue a whip to ensure people watched the film". Expanding on this, he suggested that if a government's popularity could be gauged by the success of a film about its leader, then this would be the "first government to fall not in the 'House' but in the 'cinema hall'". He predicted that voters would reject the BJP again in the 2027 elections.
'Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi,' a biographical drama based on Yogi Adityanath, was released on September 19, 2025. The film, directed by Ravindra Gautam, stars Anant Joshi in the lead role and is inspired by the book 'The Monk Who Became Chief Minister' by Shantanu Gupta. It faced delays due to objections from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) but was eventually released after a Bombay High Court ruling.
Yadav didn't stop at box office commentary. He also shared what he claimed were reviews of 'Ajey', furthering his criticism by stating, "Film critics are saying that an SIT needs to be formed to investigate the reasons behind the film's failure". He added that "one reason is that the audience wants to watch genuine emotional films, but this film is miles away from the truth and also from human sensitivities".
This isn't the first time Yadav has taken aim at Adityanath and his government. In the past, he has criticized the state's law and order situation, accusing the BJP government of being repeatedly rebuked by the courts. He has also alleged bias in the transfer and posting of officials, claiming that a single caste dominates public posts. Additionally, Yadav has blamed the Adityanath government for deaths at a Hathras stampede, citing negligence and lack of arrangements.
Earlier, Yadav questioned whether the film 'Ajey' included "original dialogues" or if there were "beeps when the dialogues are delivered". He also inquired whether the film depicted Adityanath's withdrawal of a criminal case against himself and other party members after coming to power. In December 2017, the Adityanath government ordered the withdrawal of a case against Adityanath and a dozen others who were booked for allegedly violating prohibitory orders in 1995. Yadav further questioned whether the film featured any "vehicle turned upside down," seemingly referencing the encounter of Vikas Dubey in Kanpur in July 2020, or a "bulldozer stunt".
