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WHEN I first saw the blue-tinted lead characters in a still shot from Avatar, my pre-conditioned mind screamed out “Hindu God” at me (now, I know better than to say which one). Later, watching the movie, there seemed to be a lot more to remind me of Hinduism – admittedly an uninitiated westerner’s perspective of Hinduism – true to the individual’s interpretation of the theory, but lacking in faith.

Unsurprisingly, I am not alone. Some quick online research will reveal a relatively large number of Hindus have opined that the movie has a lot in common with Hinduism. While some are happy enough that the concept is in the safe hands of the film’s writer and director James Cameron, others feel slightly offended by the trivialisation of the “ avatar” term. Nevertheless, there is agreement that the movie undeniably has a Hindu connection.