• Javed Akhtar remarked sarcastically that each faith had to have its own censor board.
• At the Jadunama launch on Monday, Javed Akhtar gave a speech.
• His remarks were made the day before the Tuesday premiere of the Pathaan trailer.

In response to the controversy surrounding the Pathaan song Besharam Rang, lyricist Javed Akhtar remarked sarcastically that each dharma (faith) had to have its own censor board. A segment of society has expressed outrage over the song featuring Deepika Padukone wearing an orange bikini, stating that the colour is sacred in Hinduism. Others have taken issue with the film’s title, which also happens to refer to a specific ethnic group.

[embedpost slug=”uorfi-javed-spotted-with-javed-akhtar-in-delhi/”]
Narottam Mishra, the home minister for Madhya Pradesh, has previously stated that screenings of Pathaan shouldn’t be permitted in the state until certain “scenes and costumes are corrected.” A ban on the movie had also been requested by the Madhya Pradesh Ulema Board because it “misrepresenting Islam.”

Commenting on the same, Javed Akhtar said, “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.”

Javed joked when asked about the freshly established “Dharma 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!”

[embedpost slug=”abhishek-and-javed-akhtar-rave-about-king-kohli-after-match/”]

Commenting on the controversy, he said, “It is not for me or you to decide whether the song is right or wrong. We have an agency.” He advised the populace to put their faith in the censor board’s accreditation and the cuts they recommend.

At the Jadunama launch on Monday, Javed Akhtar gave a speech. It is a coffee table book that is made up of quotes, interviews, and excerpts from his speeches that he gave in public. His remarks were made the day before the Tuesday premiere of the Pathaan trailer. The movie, which has Siddharth Anand as its director, will debut in theatres on January 25. The censor board recently certified the movie as U/A after recommending a few adjustments to the song “Besharam Rang” and asking to eliminate RAW and PM references.