Prakash Jha moves SC against ban on 'Aarakshan'

Film producer Prakash Jha on today moved the Supreme Court to lift the ban on his film 'Aarakshan' in states of UP, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh.

, Jha in his writ petition said that the ban on 'Aarakshan' goes against the spirit of freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution,  advocate Ameet Naik told.

The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing at 2:00pm today.

According to report, Jha, who held a press conference in Mumbai on today, 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 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.

The security for the film's lead cast--Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan--has also been beefed up by the Mumbai police.

 

Prakash Jha :Police saved my staff and office

Filmmaker Prakash Jha Saturday said his house and office in Mumbai were attacked by political activists who wished to obstruct the release of his film Aarakshan, based on caste-based reservations in the Indian education system.

He is apparently very upset with the way a protest was staged outside his office. He said he is thankful to the police administration for saving his staff members who got caught into the violent protest.

Posters of his film were burnt during the protests and apparently a part of the office premises was also damaged by the protestors.

“The RPI activists were protesting outside my office. They burnt my photographs and film’s posters. They have also been trying to damage our publicity material and hoardings across the city,” says Prakash Jha, who’s Aarakshan is based on the issue of caste reservation, triggering protests nationwide with protestors opposing the movie’s release.

“The fact is that they have not seen the film. They are attacking me on the basis of assumptions and misconceptions about the treatment of the issue in the movie. I am a law abiding and responsible citizen and filmmaker,” says Prakash.

The director said the Censor Board has passed the movie with no cuts. “I feel it’s only fair if the film is judged after it is released. The Censor Board has cleared the film without a single cut and with a U/A certificate. I am confident; my film has examined the issue of reservation and caste divides with sensitivity. I don’t understand why everybody is up in arms against my film. However, it’s a democratic country, so everyone has a right to protest,” he says.

He said, “The police have been very helpful in taking care of my office premises and dealing with the violent protests happening there. Nobody from my office has been hurt. I’m very grateful for that."

Will Aarakshan draw in the crowds

Prakash Jha's latest film Aarakshan centred on August 12 the much debated caste-based reservation system will open in theatres worldwide.

After his last product, the well-structured Godfather re-hash Raajneeti, proved to be an outstanding performer at the box office, Jha has yet again assembled an army of extraordinary superstar-actors: Amitabh Bachchan the fiery Deepika Padukone, the ever-reliable Manoj Bajpai, an unusually sombre Saif Ali Khan and the naturally gifted Pratiek Babbar.

Jha works at high speed. Raajneeti, he revealed, was finished in 102 days, one day ahead of schedule. Aarakshan took just 55 days.

Jha says, "Aarakshan is a film that doesn't offer immediate solutions to the reservation system, but it tries to look at it from every possible point of view."

A film on one of the most controversial policies of the country may not be to everyone's taste, but it could create informed public opinion if given a chance. Not surprisingly, though, it has inspired protests from a number of groups, one calling itself the 'Anti-Aarakshan Group', the Brahmin Sabha, some pro-Dalit groups, and even Maharashtra's  public works minister, Chaggan Bhujbal.

Jha says most of these groups have their own agenda. None of them have asked to see the film. "How they can be offended without even watching the film is beyond my understanding,"

We take a look at the 15-minute preview: Amitabh Bachchan is Prabhakar Anand, the disciplinarian college principle and also Deepika's father. The rule-adhering, law-abiding headmaster is astonished when Saif accuses him of being casteist for overlooking the fact that another teacher, belonging to an upper-caste, is running a parallel coaching centre.

Saif Ali is at loggerheads with the entire system, particularly Manoj Bajpai, and even once-close friend Prateik. As the story progresses, Amitabh Bachchan's Prabhakar Anand takes a daring detour. He offers to educate under-privileged children for free in order to make peace with himself.

The drama is well handled, a skill Prakash Jha has mastered over the years. Bachchan gives a career-redefining performance. Saif is calm on the outside, but aggressive from within. In the one or two scenes where we get to see him, he looks affected although he seems to struggle to speak shudh Hindi. Deepika tries hard to blend in with the veterans.