'Aarakshan' hearing delayed, Jha fears losses

Aug 12, 2011 IANS

Mumbai, Aug 12 (IANS) Filmmaker Prakash Jha is fearing losses for "Aarakshan" as the Supreme Court has re-scheduled for Tuesday the hearing of his petition for lifting the ban on his movie in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

"We had appealed in Supreme Court to stall the ban. The petition was in process but because the time got over, the hearing has been postponed till Tuesday. We don't know the time when the case will be heard on Tuesday. It will be listed later. However, we will incur some losses if the ban is not stalled," Jha told IANS.

The release of "Aarakshan", themed on caste-based reservations in the Indian educational system, was banned in the three states fearing strong public reaction to the anti-Dalit comments in the narrative. It released in other states Friday.

There was much brouhaha over the film's release even in Maharashtra, but Jha reached a settlement with the Republican Party of India (RPI) chief Ramdas Athavale Thursday. He agreed to "appropriate cuts" in the film due to the pressure.

Now he is hopeful that he can show his movie to people of all states.

"Every territory is important for me, may that be big or small. I am hopeful to get a favourable response and decision from the Supreme Court also, because it does make a difference to the business if the film is not being shown in three states," Jha told reporters.

"People have their own fears, but I think everything will be okay as people will watch it and realise there is nothing controversial," Jha said.

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