'Aarakshan' controversy: Prakash Jha ready to edit scenes

Mumbai, Aug 11 (PTI) After Uttar Pradesh, Punjab has
banned Prakash Jha's film 'Aarakshan' (reservation) ahead of
its release on Friday over certain controversial scenes and
dialogues, which the director said he is ready to delete.
Mayawati government banned the Amitabh Bachchan-Saif Ali
Khan starrer in Uttar Pradesh for two months citing law and
order problem. Punjab followed suit on the ground that some
scenes and dialogues in the film may trigger trouble.
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.
The director said he has been given an assurance by
political leaders that the movie's release will face no hurdle
in Maharashtra.
When asked about the ban in UP and Punjab, Jha said he is
trying to resolve the matter amicably.
"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.
The director said his film is not only about reservation
but also deals with the commercialisation of education.
The security for film's lead cast-- Amitabh Bachchan and
Saif Ali Khan --has been beefed up by the Mumbai police.
Bachchan, who plays a upright college principal in the
movie, said he felt embarrassed to move around with gunmen.
"I received notices from Mumbai police warning me not to
move out of the house because on so and so date and at so and
so time there is a political party that will hold protests in
front of my house. And it may not be safe. I carry with me
security people.
"I feel embarrassed to be moving around with
gunmen behind me but such is the circumstances, which is
embarrassing for me as a citizen of free democratic nation,"
Bachchan said.
Saif, who plays a Dalit teacher in the movie, too has
security outside his home.
The film, which also stars Deepika Padukone, Manoj Bajpai
and Prateik, has been in the eye of storm ever since its first
promos were released.
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes too voiced
objection to certain dialogues in the movie. Following a
special screening, the commission asked the Censor Board to
make necessary changes.
"The main theme of the movie is about commercialisation
of education followed by several objectionable dialogues
against people from backward communities. We have asked
the Censor Board to make necessary changes in it," NCSC
Chairman P L Punia said.
A nine-member team of the Censor Board had given a U/A
certificate to the film without any cuts but that did not stop
it from landing into trouble.