Shiv Sena Founder Bal Thackeray’s Biopic Hits Roadblock As CBFC Demands Removal Of Dialogues Along With Cuts

Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s biopic has run into a roadblock as the Censor Board has reportedly asked for the removal of four dialogues along with three cuts in the movie. The dialogues and scenes apparently contain references to the South Indian community and the Babri Masjid demolition, reports The Economic Times.

However, Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena’s Rajya Sabha MP, who is also the producer of the film, said there would be “no such cuts”, while speaking at the screening of the trailer. “There will be no cuts -- it is not an imaginary story about his life, it’s a true story and it’s about his life,” he said.

He added that it took 50 years for people to realise Thackeray’s views on “sons of the soil policy” and how Kamal Nath, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, is now talking of enacting a law for “sons of the soil” .

“This is the original Balasaheb Thackeray in the movie. Nobody could stop him then, and nobody will be able to stop him now (film’s release),” the MP further added.

“Whatever has happened has happened…it can’t be changed. If we cannot have a quick resolution to the film (with regard to the censor clearance), then let’s hope we have a quick resolution to the Babri Masjid case,” said Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena president.

The party is expected to release the movie on 23 January to coincide with the birth anniversary of its revered leader.

The movie is part of the party’s game plan to reclaim the Hindutva plank from the BJP by showing its late leader as the original Hindutva mascot as the best way to achieve that goal, feels Shiv Sena.