Maharashtra Govt Seeks Reevaluation of 'Khalid Ka Shivaji'

Mumbai, August 7 (PTI): The Maharashtra government has requested the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to ask the censor board to reevaluate the certificate issued to the Marathi film 'Khalid Ka Shivaji' and delay its release, which was scheduled for August 8, until a decision is made. This request is articulated in a letter dated August 6 from Maharashtra Culture Secretary Kiran Kulkarni to the I&B Secretary. The appeal surfaces amidst allegations from right-wing organizations that the film misrepresents the historical account of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The letter expresses concerns that screening the film in its current form could incite law and order issues. This correspondence follows a complaint from right-wing activist Nilesh Bhise, filed on August 5, who claimed, after seeing the movie's trailer, that some dialogues are factually inaccurate and might offend public sentiments.

Recently, protests erupted during the state's film awards ceremony in Mumbai, with demonstrators calling for a ban on the movie or the removal of its controversial dialogues. The letter urges the I&B Ministry to instruct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to reassess the certificate granted to the film and delay its release until a comprehensive review is completed.

The CBFC, a statutory entity under the I&B Ministry, oversees the public display of films according to the Cinematograph Act of 1952, ensuring films can only be exhibited in India post-certification. 'Khalid Ka Shivaji', directed by Raj Pritam More, narrates the journey of a Muslim boy exploring the life of the renowned 17th-century Maratha warrior king.

State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant has criticized the BJP-led Mahayuti government for attempting to halt the release of 'Khalid Ka Shivaji' based on just its trailer, citing a lack of substantial understanding of the film's content. He suggests the government's actions are motivated by pressure from right-wing factions and align with the BJP's divisive political ideology.

Sawant argued, "Once again, the BJP's efforts to depict Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj solely as an icon of Hindutvawad reflect a narrow, biased view that is historically inaccurate." He condemned the move as an absurd attempt to belittle Shivaji Maharaj's towering legacy and misrepresent his inclusive and progressive ethos.

Sawant further challenged, "Why can't Maharaj be Khalid's hero? What agitates the BJP about Muslims identifying with Shivaji Maharaj's values?" He highlighted that 'Khalid Ka Shivaji' was chosen to represent India at the Cannes Film Festival—a milestone not achieved by any of the so-called propaganda films supported by political backing on the international stage.

He continued, "While the filmmaker's intent might not be entirely known, historical documentation confirms the inclusion of Muslims in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army." Citing a mosque's presence on Raigad Fort portrayed in the film's trailer, Sawant referenced credible historical sources, notably the 'New History of the Marathas - Volume 1' by acclaimed historian G S Sardesai, which documents on pages 264-265 that Shivaji Maharaj commissioned a mosque for his Muslim soldiers.

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