Besharam Rang Row: Former CBFC Chairman Pahlaj Nihalani sides with Shah Rukh Khan starrer

Ever since the first song ‘Besharam Rang’ from Pathaan was released the movie has been receiving backlash from many people. Recently even the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) asked the makers to make ‘changes’ in the movie, including the songs before the release. Amidst all these controversies, former CBFC Chairman Pahlaj Nihalani has expressed his mind on this matter and sided with Shah Rukh Khan’s movie.

Besharam Rang

Talking about the issue, Nihalani said that ‘Pathaan is a victim of controversy’ and the board must have received a lot of pressure from the ministry to make such a decision. “There’s no guideline that states that a color can be cut. You can suggest changes if there’s vulgarity or obscenity. But if they ask for cuts because of color, it would be a wrong proceeding. There could be pressure from the ministry… Pathaan is a victim of controversy. The CBFC must have got pressurized by the ministry to delete this portion of saffron color. Otherwise, they had cleared the costume and the shot in the trailer,” he said.

Pahlaj Nihalani

He further added, “It is the committee’s right to decide what cuts and modifications are needed. They will have to see the revised version. Prasoon Joshi might have given a statement but he has no right to watch Pathaan with the examining committee. He must have got pressure from the ministry to see the film carefully because of the saffron color. If they suggest a cut because of color then it would be a wrong proceeding.”

Nihalani’s this statement was directed towards the current Chairperson of CBFC, Prasoon Joshi who said, “I must reiterate that our culture and faith is glorious, intricate and nuanced. And we have to be careful that it does not get defined by trivia which takes the focus away from the real and the true. And like I have said earlier as well, that the trust between creators and audience is most important to protect and the creators should keep working towards it.”