How will two months ban on 'Aarakshan' help, asks Big B

New Delhi, Aug 12 (IANS) The governments of three states have banned the screening of the film "Aarakshan" for two months and this has saddened Amitabh Bachchan, who is playing an important role in it. He is wondering how this restriction will solve the problem after two months.

"UP (Uttar Pradesh), Punjab and today Andhra Pradesh have given notice to ban the film and not allow it to be projected for another two months - a provision given administratively to each government," Big B posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.

"After that period is over, the film can have exhibition and … the producer is not obliged to carry out any changes that the administration in governance may have found, because the film technically and legally has found certification without a single cut," Big B posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.

"What good will two months do then in the law and order situation - the reason given for the non-showing of this product ! So the same film is a law and order problem now and today, but shall not be a problem after two months?

"You will destroy the commerce of the producer and all those that have invested time, blood, tears and money into this film, when even after waiting for 2 months there cannot be any change that will be accepted to be done!," he added.

The film, also starring Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj Bajpayee and Prateik in pivotal roles, released in the rest of the country Friday.

"Aarakshan" deals with the sensitive issue of reservation and it landed in trouble after facing protests from the Republican Party of India (RPI) and several groups expressing concern over its content in anticipation of anti-Dalit comment.

Even though Prakash Jha, the director, agreed to make "appropriate cuts" in the movie, the two-month ban still continues on the film in the three states.

The Supreme Court Friday will also hear a petition by Jha seeking the lifting of the ban on his film in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

The series of events has also put a question mark on the clearance given by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to any movie and the 68-year-old megastar feels such bans bring only disrespect to the body.

"What is the need then of the Censor Board, a statutory body instituted by you, the legislatures and Parliamentarians that govern this land. You nominate what you believe, to disbelieve what you nominate!! Better to remove it altogether then rather than give it disrespect," he posted.

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