Exclusive: Godhra & Cow References Muted in ‘Shorgul’ by CBFC

The CBFC asks the makers of ‘Shorgul’ to mute Godhra and gau-ganga from the film

A poster of Shorgul

Before the Udta Punjab censorship controversy could die down, we hear that the scissor-happy CBFC has asked the makers of the political drama Shorgul to mute the words Godhra and gau ganga in the upcoming film because they fear it might instigate communal unrest.

A source tells us, “It’s shocking that the filmmakers were asked to mute the word Godhra, it’s a place and anyone and everyone should be allowed to take the name of the place if the story requires it and they were even asked to mute the word gau ganga, which means cow. Does this mean we can’t say cow anywhere in any film?”

Yes, we were asked to mute these words. I have been asked to make necessary edits in our film. However, our film is in no way controversial in nature and it will bring to life aesthetically real issues of real citizens. We will be the voice of the nation.

<b>Swatantra Vijay Singh, Producer of Shorgul</b>

Shorgul, co-directed by Jitendra Tiwari & P Singh stars Jimmy Shergill, Ashutosh Rana, Sanjay Suri and is based on the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots and reportedly shows political parties provoking communal violence.

Surprisingly, while on the one hand, the CBFC seems to have a huge problem with Udta Punjab because it allegedly tarnishes the image of Punjab, on the other hand the certification board has let off Shorgul with just two muted words and a U/A certificate. Uttar Pradesh’s image didn’t seem to be an issue with the CBFC.

The film incidentally also features lyrics by Congress leader Kapil Sibal.

The trailer launch of Shorgul (Photo: Yogen Shah)

Though the CBFC didn’t have much problems with it, a VHP member did file a PIL against Shorgul’s release.

Milan Som of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had on Thursday filed a PIL against Shorgul alleging that Jimmy’s character Ranjeet Som is inspired by BJP MLA Sangeet Som, who is one of the prominent people accused in the Muzaffarnagar riots case. He also added that Sanjay Suri’s role of Mithilesh Yadav is based on UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, and Narendra Jha’s character of Alim Khan is based on SP cabinet minister Azam Khan. However the PIL was dismissed by the Allahabad High Court bench in Lucknow.

<i><b> Shorgul</b></i> is not a biopic. If it was, we would have taken permission and spent time with the person concerned as we have to understand our role. But there is nothing like that. It is a socio-political film, with a love story.&nbsp;

Jimmy Shergill told IANS

Shorgul releases on June 17, 2016 with a few cuts.