Not for me or you to decide if song is right or wrong: Javed Akhtar on 'Besharam Rang' row
Mumbai (PTI): Amid reports that the CBFC has asked the makers of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Pathaan" to make changes to the shots used in its song Besharam Rang', lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar has said filmmakers need to have "trust" in the film certification body that has the authority to decide what will and what will not make the final cut.
His comments came a day before the trailer launch of "Pathaan", a high-octane spy thriller directed by Siddharth Anand.
Referring to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) as a "department" under the central government", the 77-year-old industry veteran on Monday said, "It is not for me or you to decide whether the song is right or wrong. We have an agency.
"There are people from the government and a cross-section of the society watch the film and decide what will be passed and what will not be passed.
"I think we should have trust in that certification, the cuts that they suggest and what they pass," Akhtar said.
According to reports, the CBFC suggested the film's production banner Yash Raj Films to make changes to Besharam Rang' and remove all the mentions of the Indian intelligence agency RAW and Prime Minister's Office from the movie, scheduled to be released on January 25.
Featuring leading lady Deepika Padukone in a saffron bikini, 'Besharam Rang' has found itself in the centre of a proverbial storm for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
Protests in several parts of the country have been held against the song.
Last week, posters of "Pathaan" were vandalised in a mall in Ahmedabad and members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal stated they would not allow the screening of the movie in Gujarat unless their issues over the song were resolved.
Asked to comment on how fringe elements were protesting against the film, Akhtar disagreed saying it was not the fringe but politicians who had expressed their disappointment over the song.
"There are no fringe elements, the ministers are talking these things. Forget about the fringe elements. The Madhya Pradesh home minister has said it," he added.
Last month, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra took objection to Padukone's costume in the "Besharam Rang" and had said if certain scenes are not "corrected", the government will consider what to do about its screening in the state.
The Madhya Pradesh Ulema Board had also sought a ban on the film for "misrepresenting Islam".
"If he (the minister) thinks there should be a separate censor board for Madhya Pradesh, they (should) watch the film separately. And if they are unhappy with the Centre's film certification, we should not come in between them, it is between them and the Centre," Akhtar further said.
Asked about the recently constituted 'Dharma Censor Board', the screenwriter said every 'dharma' (religion) should have its own censor board.
"There is one censor board in MP, then this is there and one censor board of the centre is also there. What is the problem? We have four-five important 'dharmas' and they should have their censors. Maybe then moulvis (under Islam) will start watching films. Do it, do it!" he quipped.
Akhtar was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of "Jadunama", a coffee table book that draws its title from his nickname (Jadu).
A compilation of extracts from Akhtar's public speeches, interviews and quotes, "Jadunama" was unveiled by his close friend and veteran poet-lyricist Gulzar.
Akhtar's family members, including actor-wife Shabana Azmi, actor-filmmaker-son Farhan Akhtar, director-daughter Zoya Akhtar, actor Tabu, filmmaker Farah Khan, actor Nandita Das, directors Rajkumar Hirani and Ashutosh Gowarikar, and actors Deepti Naval, Divya Dutta, Urmila Matondkar, Saiyami Kher, and Satish Kaushik attended the event.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
