CBFC removes Muslim reference from Begum Jaan, says it cannot risk it'

Mumbai: Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has yet again used its razor sharp scissors to maintain communal harmony in the supposedly not-so-liberal Indian society.

Directed by Srijit Mukherji, one of the the film’s dialogues “Allah kehke Bismillah. Naam Nabi ka Holi” has been replaced with “Tan se khele ang-rang daala Brij ki har bala.” If that wasn’t enough, the film board has also replaced a reference to a Dargah with a Saraai.

When asked for an explanation behind these last minute changes, a source from CBFC told a leading daily, “We can’t take any risks with religious sentiments,” says a CBFC source, adding, “Cross-religious references are all very well and a sign of a liberal India. But we can never be sure of how the not-so-liberal India would react to this.”

‘Begum Jaan’ is the Hindi remake of the 2015 hit film ‘Rajkahini’ and is based on the life of prostitutes in a brothel set in post independence era. ‘Begum Jaan’ is set to release on April 14.