DSS criticises censor board over cuts suggested for Phule film
DSS State convener Arjun Bhadre, addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Wednesday, said that earlier, the film was scheduled to release on April 11 to mark the birth anniversary of Jyotiba Phule. As the CBFC suggested cuts, the film release date was rescheduled to April 25.
Mr. Bhadre said that the biopic on social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule was made after carrying out extensive research and referring multiple books and historical sources.
He said that the film director wanted to show the historical truth. But the Central Film Certification Board instructed him to replace 12 scenes, including the shots in which a man carries a broom and boys throwing cow dung on Savitri Bai.
Several lines of dialogues mentioning the words Kshudra, Peshwa, Mang, Mahar have also been removed from the film, he added.
Mr. Bhadre said that the censor board did not object to a single scene or dialogues from the film, The Kashmir Files. But it has raised objections to real incidents shown in the film Phule. This shows the double standards of the board, he claimed.
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News18
16 hours ago
- News18
Khalid Ka Shivaji To Be Dropped From Cannes Over ‘Objectionable' Content
Last Updated: The Maharashtra government pulled the Marathi film Khalid Ka Shivaji from Cannes due to allegations of falsehoods and objectionable content. The CBFC is reviewing the film. The Maharashtra government has confirmed that Marathi film Khalid Ka Shivaji will be withdrawn from the Cannes Film Festival listings following allegations that it contains 'falsehoods" and 'objectionable" content. The decision comes amid mounting protests from right-wing groups claiming the film distorts the legacy of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film was originally scheduled for theatrical release on August 8, but its future now hangs in balance as the CBFC review process gets underway. Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar announced on Friday that the state acted promptly after receiving multiple complaints about the film. 'The government immediately took action upon receiving complaints that 'Khalid Ka Shivaji' spreads misinformation and hurts sentiments. We have taken this stand in alignment with Shiv devotees and society," Shelar told reporters in Mumbai. The controversy escalated earlier this week when Maharashtra culture secretary Kiran Kulkarni formally requested the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to direct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to re-examine the movie's clearance certificate. In a letter sent on August 6, the state urged that the film's release be halted until the review is completed, warning that its current form could trigger law and order concerns. Shelar noted that while an expert committee had initially recommended the film for Cannes screening in May this year, the recommendation was later retracted. 'We will remove the film from the Cannes Festival selection listings and have sent an email in this regard. I wrote to the CBFC and took the position that if the film spreads falsehoods and hurts sentiments, action must follow. The CBFC has started proceedings based on complaints alleging the film misrepresents history," he said. The minister also pointed out that the responsibility for its inclusion at Cannes rests with those who recommended it. 'The responsibility lies with those who recommended the film for a festival screening. Producers and director have now been summoned by the Central Board of Film Certification, which has initiated action," he stated. Maharashtra Public Works Department Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, also weighed in on the matter. Speaking in Ratnagiri district, he said, 'I have not seen the movie. However, if there is something objectionable in it, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will consider imposing a ban. We will not tolerate anything objectionable against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or other icons of Maharashtra." Protest against the film at Maharashtra Film Awards Things got tense at the Maharashtra State Film Awards when two people interrupted the event by loudly protesting against the upcoming Marathi film Khalid Ka Shivaji. The protest happened just as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was about to speak to the audience. Inside the auditorium, the two protesters stood up with placards and started shouting slogans, calling for a ban on the film and accusing it of twisting historical facts. 'Distortion of history must be stopped," they yelled, before security stepped in and quickly escorted them out. In response to the disruption, CM Fadnavis briefly addressed the protestors, saying, 'You have put forth your point of view, and now stop. Don't spoil the function." All about the controversy in gist The protest at the awards ceremony was not a one-off incident. In the days before the event, Khalid Ka Shivaji had already stirred controversy, especially among members of the Sakal Hindu Samaj. The right-wing group has accused the film of spreading 'false history" and creating religious divides. Police have now stepped in to keep an eye on the situation. The Bhandup division of the Mumbai Police recently sent a formal notice to the administrator of a WhatsApp group connected to the Sakal Hindu Samaj. Officers said they were concerned about online mobilisation that could disturb public peace. The group had allegedly urged its members to protest the film on various social media platforms. The police notice warned against such activities, stating: 'We advise you to not engage in such acts henceforth. If such messages encourage unlawful activities in the city, then you will be held responsible and strict action will be taken." In reaction, the Sakal Hindu Samaj condemned the police's action, defending its online campaign as an exercise of constitutional rights. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the group wrote: 'Bhandup Police Station has sent a notice to #Hindutva Karyakartas for posting a protest on social media against the film Khalid Ka Shivaji, which spreads false history and seeks to divide the minds of Hindus. @MumbaiPolice have completely surrendered to #Jihadi forces! Please stop sending such notices to those who are protesting through constitutional means (sic)." What is the film about? Khalid Ka Shivaji, directed by first-time filmmaker Ankur Bhatia, tackles themes of identity and alienation. The story follows Khalid, a young Muslim boy who feels excluded because of his religious background, and finds strength by drawing inspiration from Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. While the film has sparked controversy, it has also earned international attention. It was among the few Marathi films chosen for screening at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Earlier, Maharashtra's Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar had praised the milestone, saying, 'Khalid Ka Shivaji highlights the thoughts of young minds and their quest for identity in today's society." He described its Cannes selection as 'a moment of pride for Marathi cinema." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Khalid ka Shivaji' put on hold, after right-wing backlash
MUMBAI: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has suspended the release of the Marathi film 'Khalid ka Shivaji', in the face of backlash from right-wing groups. The board has asked its makers to submit documentary evidence of certain factual claims made in the film. 'Khalid ka Shivaji' put on hold, after right-wing backlash The film, incidentally, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in the category of Film Bazaar, in May 2025, where, according to its director Raj Pritam More, 'it received a standing ovation'. However, a 2.3-minute trailer, which was released recently, showing one of the characters claiming that 35% of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army comprised Muslims and that 11 of his body guards were also from the same community, put certain right-wing outfits off their stride. At the Maharashtra State Film Awards ceremony, held at the NSCI Dome, two persons voiced their resentment over 'distorted facts regarding Shivaji' in the film. Two activists from Hindu Mahasabha also raised slogans in front of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis (and were immediately taken away by cops). The film centres around a teenager, Khalid, from Vidharba, who when ragged in school by the name of Afzal Khan, a general in Adil Shah's army who was killed by Shivaji Maharaj, sets out to educate himself about the history of Shivaji and Aurangzeb. Right-wing groups and researchers have for decades insisted that Shivaji Maharaj formed a Hindu kingdom while battling Muslim rulers, especially Mughals – a claim which has been opposed by historians who have said that Shivaji was not against Muslims, evidenced by the presence many from the community in his army, just as Hindus served in the Mughal army. Responding to the backlash, More issued a statement on Thursday announcing that disputed parts and dialogues will be removed from the film. On Friday, Maharashtra cultural affairs minister, Ashish Shelar, said, 'We will not tolerate any distortion of history,' and added that the state government has asked the Centre to review the film. HT has learnt that Kiran Kulkarni, secretary of the cultural department, has dashed off an official letter to the union ministry of information and broadcasting, requesting a pause on the film's release until CBFC completes its review. Nilesh Bhise, head of Shiv Samartha Pratishthan, who had filed a complaint on Wednesday with the ministry of cultural affairs, said: 'The facts shown in the film have no historical evidence. The author who is referred to in the film did not live during Shivaji's time; and his writings are not fact-based. There is also no documentary proof of Shivaji Maharaj building a mosque at Raigad.' More said, 'While the number of Muslims in Shivaji's army and his personal guards, mentioned in the film, may not match historical records, the film's intent was to showcase Shivaji Maharaj's inclusive and secular values, which are supported by several documents.' Meanwhile, Opposition leaders were quick to criticise the government's move. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar shared a video of Shelar advocating the film, on X, 'as a different kind of work showing the search of Shivaji Maharaj's work through the questions in the mind of school boy, Khalid'. Responding to Pawar's post, Shelar told the media on Friday: 'I had only announced the decision of the selection committee regarding the films which will go to Cannes. However, after receiving complaints about inauthentic claims in the film, we have initiated an inquiry to check if the film has presented distorted historical facts. We have also sent a letter to organisers of the Cannes film festival to delete the film from their records.' Kolhapur-based historian Indrajeet Sawant, said, while Muslims were a part of Shivaji's army, there is no way to ascertain their number. Also, it is well documented that Siddi Ibrahim was one of Shivaji's bodyguards when he went to meet Afzal Khan. 'The producer and director of the film have damaged their own project, which otherwise would have projected that Shivaji Maharaj belongs to all. While it is documented that Muslims were a part of his army and posse of personal guards, their volume has no mention in historical records,' said Sawant.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Khalid Ka Shivaji to be removed from Cannes Festival listings on 'objectionable' content: Maha Cultural Affairs Minister
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar on Friday said the state government acted swiftly after receiving complaints that the Marathi film Khalid Ka Shivaji spreads "falsehoods" and hurts public sentiments, and sought a re-examination of its censor certification. He also said the movie, facing opposition from right-wing groups for allegedly distorting the legacy of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, will be removed from Cannes Film Festival listings. The movie will be removed from Cannes listings and its censor certification re-examined amid fears of potential law and order issues. Maha govt asked CBFC to re-examine movie's clearance certificate On August 6, Maharashtra culture secretary Kiran Kulkarni sent a letter to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting secretary, asking him to direct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to re-examine the clearance certificate issued to the film and halt its release till a decision is taken on its request. There is apprehension that exhibition of the film, originally slated to hit theatres on August 8, in its present form may lead to law and order problems, according to the letter. "The government immediately took action upon receiving complaints that 'Khalid Ka Shivaji' spreads misinformation and hurts sentiments. We have taken this stand in alignment with Shiv devotees and society," Shelar told reporters here. On the movie's screening at Cannes Film Festival in May this year, he said, "The responsibility lies with those who recommended the film for a festival screening. Producers and director have now been summoned by the Central Board of Film Certification, which has initiated action. 'We will remove film from Cannes Festival' The BJP minister noted an expert committee had recommended that the film be sent to the Cannes Festival, but the recommendation was later withdrawn. "We will remove the film from the Cannes Festival selection listings and have sent an email in this regard. I wrote to the CBFC and took the position that if the film spreads falsehoods and hurts sentiments, action must follow. The CBFC has started proceedings based on complaints alleging the film misrepresents history," he said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Public Works Department Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, a descendant of Shivaji Maharaj, maintained he had not seen the movie, but assured any objectionable content would not be tolerated. Talking to reporters in Ratnagiri district, the BJP leader warned anything objectionable against the 17th century Maratha warrior king or other icons of Maharashtra will not be tolerated. "I have not seen the movie. However, if there is something objectionable in it, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will consider imposing a ban. We will not tolerate anything objectionable against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or other icons of Maharashtra," Bhosale said.
