Not Based On Hardik Patel, Says Director After Censors Order 100 Cuts In Film

Ahmedabad: The Censor Board, which inflicted a headline-making 89 cuts on the Bollywood film "Udta Punjab," has ordered even more deletions in a film based on the Patel agitation in Gujarat. At least 100.

The film in Gujarati, 'Sadakto Sawal: Anamat' (Burning question: reservation) is slated for release next week. But the Censor Board has put those plans in jeopardy by raising many objections, including, the films makers say, the apprehension that the protagonist seems to be based on Hardik Patel, the 23-year-old face of the Patel agitation now in jail on sedition charges.

The film's director Rajesh Gohil said, "The board has told us that the film is based on Hardik Patel which it is not. They also believe that there are wrong references to Baba Sahib Ambedkar which is far from the truth. We have filed an appeal for review."

The film's troubles with the Censor Board have served as a signal to the makers of another Gujarati film, 'Power of Patidar,' which is indeed based on Hardik Patel. Even before they submit the film to the Censor Board for certification, they have written to chief minister Anandiben Patel asking her to watch it, assuring her that it is "not anti-government."
 "We have requested the CM to view it first...and in case they find it objectionable we are willing to make changes,'' said Mahesh Patel, the film's director and producer.

The Patel agitation for reservation in government jobs and colleges, which shook the Gujarat government last year, is still simmering and seems to have inspired more than those two films. There are several others in the pipeline and state government agencies are keeping a close watch. They fear that a string of such films could re-energise the stir.

Udta Punjab, based on drug abuse in Punjab, will meanwhile release tomorrow as scheduled. Its producer Anurag Kashyap had moved the Mumbai High Court against the Censor Board's multiple cuts and the court ordered the board to clear the film with a single scene deleted and the addition of three disclaimers.