Govt refuses nationwide ban on 'Aaja Nachle'

New Delhi, Dec 1: The Government today declined to accept the demand for a nationwide ban on Madhuri Dixit-starrer Aaja Nachle, saying allowing the exhibition of a movie lies in the domain of state government.

The comeback movie of Madhuri was yesterday banned by the Uttar Pradesh government, alleging lyrics of a song in the movie were derogatory to Dalits.

Watch Video

Replying to the demand for countrywide ban on the Hindi movie by Ramdas Athawale (RPI) in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi, however, informed the House that producer Yash Chopra has agreed to change the lyrics to meet the demand of those who felt hurt by it.

He said the Government did not interfere in the functioning of Censor Board but if any producer has any complaint he could appeal the review board headed by a retired judge of high court. He said while production of a movie came under the domain of the Union government, its screening and exhibition was governed by state government and hence the Centre could not order nationwide ban on exhibition of a movie.

Mohammed Salim(CPI-M) said languages and proverbs in the country contained casteist aspersions and it was, therefore, essential that writers, Censor Board and government were sensitised to prevent recurrence of such situation.

UNI