Aarakshan to release under police security

The state government will allow the Hindi movie Aarakshan to be released on Friday with police protection. HT reports.

The state government will allow the Hindi movie Aarakshan to be released on Friday with police protection.

HT Image

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan was bolstered by the fact that his senior cabinet colleagues, PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal and social justice minister Shivajirao Moghe, along with Republican Party of India leader Ramdas Athavale, gave a green signal to the movie albeit some cuts.

Bhujbal, along with Moghe, had watched a special screening organised by Jha on Thursday. Chavan told his cabinet that the government would authorise a screening since senior ministers were satisfied.

This despite the fact that Congress ministers Varsha Gaikwad, Nitin Raut and Naseem Khan wanted Chavan to review the decision.

The movie, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan, deals with the subject of reservations in educational institutes and the job market.

Talking to HT, Athavale who had an hour-long meeting with the film’s director Prakash Jha, said he was satisfied that the movie does not oppose the concept of reservation. “It was a fruitful meeting and some of my party men who had seen the movie also expressed their support for the film. Bachchan called me up and requested me to reconsider my Opposition,” he added.

Bhujbal agreed with Moghe and said, “The promos created an impression that the film is anti-reservation. However, after watching the movie, we realised this was a misunderstanding.”

Both the leaders have suggested some cuts, which will be carried out by Jha.