'PK' row: Maharashtra to look into content, promises necessary action

Mumbai, Dec 30: Amid protests by right wing groups demanding ban on the Aamir Khan-starrer movie ‘PK', the BJP-led Maharashtra government today asked police to look into the "content" of the film and said it will "step in" if the issue blows into a major law and order problem.

Minister of State for Home and BJP leader Ram Shinde told PTI that he has asked senior police officer Deven Bharti, IG (Law & Order), to look into objectionable scenes, if any, in the film and has promised "necessary" action if any "wrong" is found.

"The Censor board may have found the film fit to be released and hence they cleared it from their end. But after the release, some organisations have objected to some part of the film. Protests have been going on and information from social media suggests that protests against the film may intensify in the days ahead," Shinde said.

The Rajkumar Hirani-directed film has raised the hackles of the saffron brigade with the Bajrang Dal leading demonstrations against it's screening at various places in the country for "insulting" Hindu deities through their "objectionable" portrayal in the film.

Shinde said there was a precedent of government stepping in when certain films caused law and order problems in the past.

"The Censor board is an independent entity which is free to discharge its duties without any intervention from our end. It is fine if the Censor Board has given a go-ahead to this film. But when we find a threat to law and order in the state, we will intervene," the BJP leader said.

Leela Samson, chairperson of Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC), had already clarified that the board will not remove any scenes from the film as it has already been released.

Aamir has also trashed accusations of him having "insulted" the Hindu religion because he was a Muslim, saying, "We respect all religions. All my Hindu friends have seen the film and they have not felt the same".

"Taking cognisance of the complaints received by these (right wing) organisations, I have asked Deven Bharati to probe the issue and send us a report at the earliest. I am expecting a report in the next 3-4 days. If something wrong is indeed found, necessary action should be taken without delay," he said.

When contacted, Bharti said in a message, "I have not received the letter yet though I have been informed orally.

Will speak when I receive the letter regarding the scope of inquiry."

A few theatres in Mumbai had reportedly stopped shows of the blockbuster movie amid protests and threats by right wing activists yesterday.

Bajrang Dal activists had yesterday vandalised theatres in Gujarat exhibiting the film for making "fun" of Hindu gods and godmen as well as asked that its screening to be stopped.

Besides Gujarat, right-wing activists also protested in Agra and Mau in Uttar Pradesh as well as Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, tearing up posters of the film.

PTI