After UP 'Aarakshan' banned in Punjab, AP

Chandigarh/Hyderabad, Aug 11 (PTI) After Uttar Pradesh,
Punjab and Andhra Pradesh on Thursday banned Prakash Jha's
film 'Aarakshan' (reservation) on the eve of its release over
certain controversial scenes and dialogues, which the director
said he is ready to delete.
The security for the film's lead cast--Amitabh Bachchan
and Saif Ali Khan--has also been beefed up by the Mumbai
police. The film is due to hit the screens tomorrow.
The ban imposed by Punjab government will be in force
till a screening committee constituted by it previews the
movie and submits its report. The government feared that some
scenes and dialogues in the film may trigger trouble.
Hours after the ban in Punjab was announced, the Andhra
Pradesh government decided to suspend the exhibition of the
film initially for a period of one week, or till a final
decision is taken on the report of the Committee constituted
for the purpose, whichever is earlier.
The AP government cited the likelihood of the film
hurting the feelings of weaker sections that could lead to
protests and agitations and breach of the peace and
tranquillity in the State for suspending the film for a week.
The UP government last night banned the film for two
months citing law and order problem.
Jha, who held a press conference in Mumbai, said he was
ready to make minor changes in the film, respecting concerns
voiced by different political bodies.
"We have agreed to make minor changes following
objections. There are certain dialogues and scenes that have
been edited. Reservation is not a necessity but a
Constitutional truth and we have been very careful about
depicting it in the film," Jha said.
When asked about the ban in some states, Jha said he is
trying to resolve the matter amicably.
The director said his film is not only about reservation
but also deals with the commercialisation of education.
"It (the ban) could be because of political reasons. We
are discussing the matter with people there. With a sensitive
issue like this there is always doubt but we are trying to
discuss and resolve it. What else can I do," he said.