Watch: Hindu far-right protestors vandalise 'Pathaan' posters

The troubles for Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone's Pathaan seem neverending. The protests against Khan's comeback film have gained momentum as several men from the Hindu group Bajrang Dal visited the Alpha One mall in Ahmedabad and caused a massive commotion in the multiplex area, by tearing down the posters of Pathaan and destroying the cut-out posters of King Khan and Padukone.

According to Bollywood Hungama, "The group also threatened the multiplex officials to ban the release of the film in theatres." In a video shared online by ANI, the group members shouted slogans and destroyed the mall property, despite multiple warnings from mall authorities.

#WATCH | Bajrang Dal workers protest against the promotion of Shah Rukh Khan's movie '#Pathaan' at a mall in the Karnavati area of Ahmedabad | reported by news agency ANI

📽️: Bajrang Dal Gujarat's Twitter handle#Pathaan #Ahmedabad #BajrangDal pic.twitter.com/DvEX7nHLqs

— V News (@kruthikaaa) January 5, 2023

This, however, isn't the first time Khan's upcoming film has received flak from right-wingers. Bollywood Hungama previously reported that several protests were staged against the film as well. The outlet reported that a group named Veer Shivaji group planned protests on the streets, at a road intersection, in Indore where they burnt the effigies of Khan.

'10 cuts and changes'

Last month, folding under the pressure posed by Hindu right-wingers, the Censor Board of Film Certification India directed the makers of Khan, Padukone and John Abraham-starrer to make changes to their 'controversial song', Besharam Rang. Now, Hindustan Times reported that the film has been given a green signal after 10 changes and cuts.

"At least three changes have been made to the controversial song Besharam Rang - close-up shots of “buttocks, side-pose and sensuous dance movements during the lyrics Bahut Tang Kiya” have been removed," the publication shared.

A Bollywood Hungama report shared details of the ten cuts suggested by CBFC, that have been incorporated in the final cut for the theatrical release of Pathaan. The report added that the certificate does not mention whether the saffron outfit, which has been the centre of controversies around and protests against the film, was removed or changed.

The outlet shared that, "The word 'RAW' was replaced with 'Hamare' and 'Langde Lulle' was removed and replaced with 'Toote Foote'. The word 'PMO' was removed and the word 'PM' was replaced with either President or Minister in 13 different places. The word Mrs Bharatmata was changed to Hamari Bharatmata and 'Ashok Chakra' was changed to Veer Puraskar. The word KGB was replaced with SBU. In one of the dialogues, the word scotch was changed to drink and a reference to Russia was also removed."

"The film recently reached the CBFC examination committee for certification. The film went through the due and thorough examination process as per the CBFC guidelines. The committee has guided the makers to implement the advised changes in the film including the songs and submit the revised version prior to theatrical release,” Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of CBFB, said in a statement to PTI.

According to Hindustan Times, Joshi was quoted as, "The aim of the CBFC was to strike a balance between the creativity of the makers and the sentiments of the audience, and accordingly find a solution." Joshi added, "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."

Last week, a written complaint was filed at the Sakinaka police station in Mumbai alleging that the religious sentiments of people and the “intentional” use of the colour saffron to offend the Hindu religion are promoting vulgarity.

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