After omitting the controversial lezim sequence in the upcoming movie Chhaava, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has suggested a series of changes in the Laxman Utekar directorial as it gears up for its release on February 14. From replacing certain words to not hurt the audience`s sentiment to deleting sequences that demean history, the Censor Board has left no stone unturned to avoid any form of controversies later.
CBFC suggests changes in Chhaava
According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the film has been granted a U/A 16+ certificate by the CBFC. The board has also asked makers to remove the scene that shows Maratha warriors wearing a saree. Besides that, the dialogue, `Mughal sultanat ka zeher` has been replaced with `Uss samay, kayi shaasak aur sultanat khud ko zinda rakhne ki koshish kar rahe the`. Also, `Khoon toh aakhir Mughalon ka hi hai` was changed to `Khoon toh hai Aurang ka hi`. Certain words like `haramzaadon` and `haramzaada` were muted while `Aameen` was replaced with `Jai Bhavani`.
Controversial lezim scene in Chhaava
Chhaava stars Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Rashmika Mandanna as Maharani Yesubai. For those unversed, the film`s trailer featured a scene in which Kaushal and Mandanna dance with the `lezim`, a traditional musical instrument associated with Maharashtra`s cultural heritage. After protests against it, the film`s director removed it.
Vicky Kaushal defends lezim scene
Vicky Kaushal told reporters, “Not a single day went by when we didn`t start work on the film without the Shivgarjana (slogans about the courage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj). The lezim part was just for 20-30 seconds (in the film). It was not just a (part of the) story, but it was an effort to take our culture to the globe.”
“Sambhaji Maharaj was a king of the people, and if someone asked him to play (lezim) with them, the king would definitely oblige. But if his followers feel it was a bit off… It is not important to the movie`s story, so we have removed it,” he added.
Speaking of his film Chhaava, the film also stars Akshaye Khanna. It is a period drama that portrays the legendary story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. It is set to depict the courageous Maratha ruler`s legendary reign, beginning with his coronation in 1681. The movie is slated for release in theatres on February 14.