Ban lifted, Punjab halls to screen 'Aarakshan'

Chandigarh: Theatres in Punjab will on Monday screen Prakash Jha's 'Aarakshan', which deals with the issue of caste-based reservations, after the government announced it was lifting the ban on the film.

"We have deleted the scenes and dialogues to which the state government committee had objections. These portions have been submitted to the state government and will not be shown. The rest of the film will be screened in theatres across Punjab," an official of a multiplex at Zirakpur, near Chandigarh, said on Monday.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had on Sunday cleared the file, revoking the ban on the film across the state, officials said.

The ban was revoked after Prakash Jha Productions agreed to delete the objectionable scenes and dialogues following a letter by Punjab's principal secretary (home).

A high-level committee set up by the Punjab government to preview the movie had on Friday recommended revocation of the ban in the state if the film producer agreed to make certain changes.

The committee said the film contained some dialogues and scenes that could provoke the emotions of certain communities, especially those from the weaker sections of society.

"This may prove to be a disturbing factor in society, especially in Punjab where more than 31 per cent of the 2.77 crore population belongs to the weaker sections, including the Scheduled Castes," the panel said.

The committee even listed the positive aspects of the film.

"The committee felt that the movie has depicted the educational backwardness of the Dalits, which can be addressed in a positive manner and the same is well brought out," its report said.

"The movie focuses on the bane of commercialisation of education. It has clearly brought out the message that the educational system needs to be improved for the uplift of the Dalits."

A spokesperson of the committee said, "Since the overall message of the movie is positive, the committee feels that the movie may be released in Punjab after making the amendments as suggested."

The government imposed a ban on the film on Thursday following intelligence reports that it could lead to social disturbance.

'Aarakshan' stars Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone.