Advertisement

Bollywood mired in controversy

Shiv Sainiks tore down posters of Kurbaan which showed Kareena Kapoor's bare back. They then headed towards the actress' house to offer her a sari to cover herself with, but were stopped en route by the police.

We take a look at some other Bollywood films that have faced protests.

  • Shiv Sainiks tore down posters of Kurbaan which showed Kareena Kapoor's bare back. They then headed towards the actress' house to offer her a sari to cover herself with, but were stopped en route by the police.

    We take a look at some other Bollywood films that have faced protests.
  • This year's mega hit Love Aaj Kal also courted controversy after the Sikh community raised objections to Saif Ali Khan's trimmed beard in the film plus a few scenes set in the Gurudwara. After which Saif, who was the film's producer, held special screenings for the Sikh community.
  • Last year's blockbuster Ghajini received a stay order just ahead of its release because of claims by the Tamil producers of copyright infringement.
  • No big film is far from some controversy or the other. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi went through a tense phase before its release because someone spread rumours that the song Haule Halue was copied.
  • Bollywood's attempt to grow up is often attacked by the likes of the Censor Board. Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion had to cut scenes of a gay relationship and even the use of the word 'condom'.
  • If it is a movie about homosexuality, it has to undergo some controversy. It's almost a law here in India. Some viewers thought that Dostana, once again, mocked the gay community.
  • The superhit flick Golmaal Returns too underwent the hard task of refuting claims that it is copied.
  • The mother of all controversies in 2008 was the claim that Ram Gopal Varma's Contract showed such intricate details of terrorist-activity that it was liable to inspire terrorists.
  • Religion raised its indignant head when the blockbuster Singh is Kingg hit the screens. Apparently, the Sikh community was unhappy that Akshay Kumar who played a Sikh along with a traditional pagri was also sporting a French beard.
  • Bollywood has had a tense relationship with history. There is almost no historical film that has escaped attacks by historians of divided allegiances. Director Ashutosh Gowarikar had a tough time proving that Jodhaa, a Hindu Rajput, was in fact married to Emperor Akbar in Jodhaa Akbar.
  • The title track of Krazzy 4 was all that the film had going for it, and that too came under attack for being copied.
  • Chitrangada Singh's comeback film Sorry Bhai had a late release because singer Rabbi claimed they had copied one song. The film could only be released once the producers removed the song from the movie.
  • People are at a loss for good things to say about the Himesh Reshammiya starrer Karzzz. Apart from copying the entire film, even the song Hari om had a lifted tune.
  • Yet another film that came into trouble for copying a song was Race.
  • Madhuri Dixt's comeback film Aaja Nachle's title also faced protests over the use of word of mochi. There were violent protests in uttar Pradesh and a few other states, after which the producers had to re-edit the song.
  • There were protests against the film Mustafa because the lead character played by Nana Patekar had shades of grey. The name of the film was later changed to Ghulam-E-Mustafa. There was another controversy around the posters of the film. The name Mustafa (one of the many names of Prophet Mohammed) appeared below the shoes of Nana Patekar on the poster.
  • SRK's home production was originally titled Billu Barber, but salon and beauty parlour associations raised objections by finding the word "barber" derogatory. As head of the film's production company, Shah Rukh Khan eventually removed the word from the movie title and promotions, renaming the film Billu. He also invited The Hairdressers' Association of Mumbai members to the premier of the movie in order to assuage their protests.
Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com