Akira makers told to tone down violence

Sonakshi Sinha-starrer Akira, which is about women empowerment, has ironically been asked by the censor board to tone down the violence against her in the movie.

A source close to the development says, “Akira is about this rebellious girl from a middle class home, who is sent to a remand home for standing up to a bully at a young age. That’s where Sonakshi’s character is initiated into a world of crime.

The film has lots of scenes of gruesome violence, but it also has a very positive message on how important it is for girls today to learn self-defence. So, the censor board has allowed much of the violence to remain but two scenes had to be chopped off.”

Apparently, a scene in the movie that shows Sonakshi’s character being tortured by the villain, played by Anurag Kashyap, had to be heavily toned down.

The movie has been passed with two cuts and has been given a U/A certificate. “The violence showing her torture was graphically brutal and unbearable. If the censor board allowed it, they’d have to grant Akira an A certificate, depriving the film of younger audiences,” continues the source. “The censor board felt the film must be viewed by young girls to appreciate the need for self-preservation.”

Also a shot of Sonakshi being kicked in the stomach by goons has been cut from the film. “That was a complete no-no for the censor board. Director A. R. Murugadoss was sternly reminded that Akira was not like his Ghajini and brutalising the heroine won’t work here,” says the source.