SC/ST commission asks Censor Board to defer 'Aarakshan' release

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New Delhi: The National Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes has asked the Censor Board to defer the release of Prakash Jha's contentious film Aarakshan saying it will create communal disharmony. The NCSCST also said some dialogues and sequences in the movie are objectionable.

The commission will be meeting later on Wednesday to decide on the fate of the film. Sources have told CNN-IBN that the commission is likely to give its go-ahead to the film after suggesting a few changes. But censor board chief Leela Samson said Aarakshan has been cleared.

Samson said that there was no question of delaying its release. The commission had earlier expressed its reservations about the movie as it was believed to be anti-Dalit. Sources also said the SC/ST commission will suggest deleting scenes in the movie which they find objectionable.

Meanwhile, senior Maharashtra minister and OBC leader Chaggan Bhujbal expressed objection to certain scenes and dialogues in Aarakshan.

"Some scenes and dialogues in the film are objectionable and the film can be released after deleting them," Bhujbal said after a special screening of the film was arranged by the director here last night. A final decision on the issue would be announced Wednesday after discussing it with leaders of other parties, he said.

Maharashtra minister Shivajirao Moghe and Varsha Gaikwad were present at the screening held in a South Mumbai theatre. The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj Bajpai, Deepika Padukone and Prateik Babbar among others in pivotal roles, has kicked up a controversy for its alleged anti-reservation stand. It is set to hit the screens this Friday.

The Bombay High Court has already cleared the release of the movie, rejecting a demand for the special screening before its release.

SC/ST commission asks Censor Board to defer 'Aarakshan' release

Click to play video

New Delhi: The National Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes has asked the Censor Board to defer the release of Prakash Jha's contentious film Aarakshan saying it will create communal disharmony. The NCSCST also said some dialogues and sequences in the movie are objectionable.

The commission will be meeting later on Wednesday to decide on the fate of the film. Sources have told CNN-IBN that the commission is likely to give its go-ahead to the film after suggesting a few changes. But censor board chief Leela Samson said Aarakshan has been cleared.

Samson said that there was no question of delaying its release. The commission had earlier expressed its reservations about the movie as it was believed to be anti-Dalit. Sources also said the SC/ST commission will suggest deleting scenes in the movie which they find objectionable.

Meanwhile, senior Maharashtra minister and OBC leader Chaggan Bhujbal expressed objection to certain scenes and dialogues in Aarakshan.

"Some scenes and dialogues in the film are objectionable and the film can be released after deleting them," Bhujbal said after a special screening of the film was arranged by the director here last night. A final decision on the issue would be announced Wednesday after discussing it with leaders of other parties, he said.

Maharashtra minister Shivajirao Moghe and Varsha Gaikwad were present at the screening held in a South Mumbai theatre. The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj Bajpai, Deepika Padukone and Prateik Babbar among others in pivotal roles, has kicked up a controversy for its alleged anti-reservation stand. It is set to hit the screens this Friday.

The Bombay High Court has already cleared the release of the movie, rejecting a demand for the special screening before its release.

KBC is bigger and better this time: Siddharth Basu

The fifth season of the hit reality game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati,' hosted by Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan will be bigger and better.

KBC is an Indian reality game show based on the UK game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' The show that is produced by Big Synergy Media Ltd will have innovations in the game like 'Ghar Baithe Jeeto Jackpot,' 'Machaha Padav' in the money tree and special episodes like Jodi special and school special and others.

“It is bigger and better this time with a deeper connect with the contestants from the heart of India. KBC is not just another quiz show its much about the human story. Both knowledge and drama step into a higher gear this year,” said Siddharth Basu, CMD of Big Synergy Media Ltd.

About the innovations in the format for the fifth season, Basu said, “There will be access to Rs 5 crore top prize, attempting jackpot for a home viewer in every episodes, there will be special themes and special episodes among other things.

KBC is bigger and better this time: Siddharth Basu

The fifth season of the hit reality game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati,' hosted by Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan will be bigger and better.

KBC is an Indian reality game show based on the UK game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' The show that is produced by Big Synergy Media Ltd will have innovations in the game like 'Ghar Baithe Jeeto Jackpot,' 'Machaha Padav' in the money tree and special episodes like Jodi special and school special and others.

“It is bigger and better this time with a deeper connect with the contestants from the heart of India. KBC is not just another quiz show its much about the human story. Both knowledge and drama step into a higher gear this year,” said Siddharth Basu, CMD of Big Synergy Media Ltd.

About the innovations in the format for the fifth season, Basu said, “There will be access to Rs 5 crore top prize, attempting jackpot for a home viewer in every episodes, there will be special themes and special episodes among other things.

Big B, Prakash Jha barred from meeting Lucknow students

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Amitabh Bachchan and director Prakhash Jha have been told they cannot meet with students in Lucknow on Thursday to discuss their new film, Aarakshan.

Amitabh Bachchan is one of the stars of the movie, which also stars Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Manoj Bajpai.

The movie examines the issue of reservation based on caste.

The Mayawati's government has said that the discussion with students could pose a potential law and order problem. In a letter, officials said that the scheduled meeting at Lucknow University could provoke protests by political parties.

The movie had run into trouble earlier too, with the state government requesting filmmaker Prakash Jha to hold a special screening before its release for all the social organisations and public representatives, who have raised objections against the movie. Public Works Minister Chhagan Bhujbal too, had asked the team to screen the movie for him.

Rajini in Singapore hospital on Big B’s advice

Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has been constantly in touch with superstar Rajinikanth and his family ever since the ‘Robot’ star was hospitalized last month.

Rajini, who flew to Singapore recently for further treatment of renal failure, was actually advised by Big B to head to Mount Elizabeth Hospital. And, apparently he also had a word with the doctors over there.

Talking to a daily, a source close to Rajini’s family said, “Rajiniji has been diagnosed with renal failure leading to kidney complications. Rajiniji’s family is indebted to Amitji for recommending the treatment in Singapore.”

Bachchan, who is very close to the superstar, is deeply concerned about his recurrent illness in the recent past. He said, “I’ve been talking to Rajini and his wife Latha on his condition and on his welfare regularly. Latha wanted to take him out and asked me to recommend a destination. Of the many options that came up, I suggested Singapore.”

Expressing how grounded Rajini is despite being a megastar, Big B said, “He’s so down-to-earth! How he remains that way with the kind of fan-following is a mystery. And his wife has been a wonderful support. She has brought up their children so well. We discuss issues with each other.”

Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan have acted together in blockbusters ‘Andha Kanoon’ and ‘Hum’. Since then, the two veteran actors have been thick friends. Rajini, 61, romanced Bachchan’s bahu Aishwarya Rai in the superhit film ‘Robot’, released last year.

Rajini in Singapore hospital on Big B’s advice

Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has been constantly in touch with superstar Rajinikanth and his family ever since the ‘Robot’ star was hospitalized last month.

Rajini, who flew to Singapore recently for further treatment of renal failure, was actually advised by Big B to head to Mount Elizabeth Hospital. And, apparently he also had a word with the doctors over there.

Talking to a daily, a source close to Rajini’s family said, “Rajiniji has been diagnosed with renal failure leading to kidney complications. Rajiniji’s family is indebted to Amitji for recommending the treatment in Singapore.”

Bachchan, who is very close to the superstar, is deeply concerned about his recurrent illness in the recent past. He said, “I’ve been talking to Rajini and his wife Latha on his condition and on his welfare regularly. Latha wanted to take him out and asked me to recommend a destination. Of the many options that came up, I suggested Singapore.”

Expressing how grounded Rajini is despite being a megastar, Big B said, “He’s so down-to-earth! How he remains that way with the kind of fan-following is a mystery. And his wife has been a wonderful support. She has brought up their children so well. We discuss issues with each other.”

Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan have acted together in blockbusters ‘Andha Kanoon’ and ‘Hum’. Since then, the two veteran actors have been thick friends. Rajini, 61, romanced Bachchan’s bahu Aishwarya Rai in the superhit film ‘Robot’, released last year.

Big B calls Prakash Jha 'Khatron Ka Khiladi'

New Delhi: Filmmaker Prakash Jha doesn't believe in only saying "action" behind the camera but he is the one who can go to any length to get a perfect shot. This is why even Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan often calls him "Khatron Ka Khiladi".

The 68-year-old star is working with Prakash for the first time in Aarakshan and he saw the filmmaker shooting on the edge of a bridge without support and on a crane 50 feet above the ground just to get the perfect shot.

But this daredevil attitude did get Prakash into trouble twice during shooting.

Firstly, while taking a shot under the bulldozer, the driver didn't hear the "stop" and almost ran over him and second time he had an accident on a scooter.

This didn't dampen the spirits of the filmmaker who jokingly told his crew: "You've made me fall, but don't think I have fallen from grace."

Aarakshan is based on the controversial policies of caste-based reservations in government jobs and educational institutions. Apart from Amitabh, it features Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Manoj Bajpayee and Prateik Babbar.

The film will hit theatres Aug 12.