Prakash Jha's Aarakshan was in the midst of a controversy recently when The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) had asked the filmmaker to screen the film for them before release. The Commission wanted to make sure that the film does not misrepresent the constitutional stand and laws on reservation. However, Jha refused to screen the film to any independent body other than the Censor Board for Film Certification (CBFC)Now Jha seems to have had the last laugh as the Censor Board has cleared the film with a U/A certificate. The certificate was awarded after an examining committee, set up with representatives from the Dalit, OBC, SC and ST community reviewed the movie.
Amitabh Bachchan, who stars in Aarakshan, too expressed his joy on Twitter. The veteran actor tweeted, "'Aarakshan' seen by Censors today and gets a UA Certificate without a single cut …that is something !!"
Big B further added, "There has been an immense amount of speculation regarding the censorship of the film, "Aarakshan." This has stemmed mainly from parties that were concerned that the film would offend people of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes. Even anti-reservation groups were worried, that the film may be too pro-reservation. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes sent a notice to the Censor Board that the film should not be cleared by the Censor Board without the approval of the Commission. However, the Censor Board did not comply with this notice. Instead it formulated an expert panel of its own to review the film. In an unprecedented move, the Censor board set up a committee of experts, who were especially flown down from Delhi to examine the film. The examining committee had a total of nine members and two officials. The Censor Board has now passed its verdict - Aarakshan has been given a U/A certificate, without a single cut. This speaks volumes about the responsibility and sensitivity with which the film has been written and directed. This certification should silence all critics who thought the film will upset the sentiments of people from the backward castes."
Aarakshan also stars Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Manoj Bajpayee and Prateik. The film is scheduled to release on August 12.
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