The image, which featured on a poster for her independent film "Kaali", has sparked nationwide debate in India, with politicians, diplomats and local police reportedly among those accusing director Leena Manimekalai of offending religious sentiments.

The film, which uses an alternative English spelling of the goddesses' name, was among 18 works intended to explore multiculturalism at the Toronto Metropolitan University's "Under the Tent" showcase at the Aga Khan Museum.

Described as a "performance documentary," it imagines the Hindu goddess "descending onto a queer female filmmaker" and viewing Canada -- and its diverse people -- through her eyes, Manimekalai explained.

India's latest box office smash 'The Kashmir Files' exposes deepening religious divides

India's latest box office smash 'The Kashmir Files' exposes deepening religious divides

"She is a free spirit. She spits at patriarchy. She dismantles Hindutva (an ideology that seeks to transform secular India into a Hindu nation). She destroys capitalism. She embraces everyone with a thousand hands."

Kali "chooses love" and accepts a cigarette from "working-class street dwellers," Manimekalai added in an email.