Besharam Rang Controversy: Javed Akhtar Breaks Silence, Says ‘Not For Me or You…’

Amid experiences that the CBFC has requested the makers of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Pathaan” to make adjustments to the photographs utilized in its tune ‘Besharam Rang’, lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar on Monday stated filmmakers must have “trust” within the movie certification physique

Updated: January 10, 2023 7:45 AM IST

By PTI

Besharam Rang Controversy Javed Akhtar Breaks Silence, Says ‘Not For Me or You…’

Besharam Rang Controversy: Amid experiences that the CBFC has requested the makers of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Pathaan” to make adjustments to the photographs utilized in its tune ‘Besharam Rang’, lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar on Monday stated filmmakers must have “trust” within the movie certification physique that has the authority to determine what is going to and what is not going to make the ultimate lower.

His feedback come a day earlier than the trailer launch of “Pathaan“, a high-octane spy thriller directed by Siddharth Anand. Referring to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) as a “department” beneath the central authorities”, the 77-year-old business veteran stated, “It is not for me or you to decide whether the song is right or wrong. We have an agency. There are people from the government and a cross-section of society who watch the film and decide what will be passed and what will not be passed. I think we should have trust in that certification, the cuts that they suggest and what they pass,” Akhtar stated.

According to experiences, the CBFC instructed the movie’s manufacturing banner Yash Raj Films make adjustments to ‘Besharam Rang’ and take away all of the mentions of the Indian intelligence company RAW and Prime Minister’s Office from the film, scheduled to be launched on January 25.

Featuring main woman Deepika Padukone in a saffron bikini, ‘Besharam Rang’ has discovered itself within the centre of a proverbial storm for allegedly hurting spiritual sentiments. Protests in a number of elements of the nation have been held in opposition to the tune.

Last week, posters of “Pathaan” had been vandalised in a mall in Ahmedabad and members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal acknowledged they might not enable the screening of the film in Gujarat except their points over the tune had been resolved.

Asked to touch upon how fringe parts had been protesting in opposition to the movie, Akhtar disagreed saying it was not the perimeter however politicians who had expressed their disappointment over the tune. “There are no fringe elements, the ministers are talking these things. Forget about the fringe elements. The Madhya Pradesh home minister has said it,” he added.

Last month, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra took objection to Padukone’s costume within the “Besharam Rang” and stated if sure scenes aren’t “corrected”, the federal government will contemplate what to do about its screening within the state. The Madhya Pradesh Ulema Board had additionally sought a ban on the movie for “misrepresenting Islam”.

“If he (the minister) thinks there should be a separate censor board for Madhya Pradesh, they (should) watch the film separately. And if they are unhappy with the Centre’s film certification, we should not come in between them, it is between them and the Centre,” Akhtar additional stated.

Asked in regards to the not too long ago constituted ‘Dharma Censor Board’, the screenwriter stated each ‘dharma’ (faith) ought to have its personal censor board.

“There is one censor board in MP, then this is there and one censor board of the centre is also there. What is the problem? We have four-five important ‘dharmas’ and they should have their censors. Maybe then moulvis (under Islam) will start watching films. Do it, do it!” he quipped.

Akhtar was talking on the sidelines of the launch of “Jadunama”, a espresso desk e-book that pulls its title from his nickname (Jadu). A compilation of extracts from Akhtar’s public speeches, interviews and quotes, “Jadunama” was unveiled by his shut good friend and veteran poet-lyricist Gulzar.

Akhtar’s members of the family, together with actor-wife Shabana Azmi, actor-filmmaker-son Farhan Akhtar, director-daughter Zoya Akhtar, actor Tabu, filmmaker Farah Khan, actor Nandita Das, administrators Rajkumar Hirani and Ashutosh Gowarikar, and actors Deepti Naval, Divya Dutta, Urmila Matondkar, Saiyami Kher, and Satish Kaushik attended the occasion.

— aside from the headline, nothing else has been modified on this PTI copy

Published Date: January 10, 2023 7:45 AM IST

Updated Date: January 10, 2023 7:45 AM IST