Pending preview, Punjab bans 'Aarakshan'

Chandigarh, Aug 11 (IANS) The Punjab government Thursday imposed a ban on the screening of the controversial Hindi film "Aarakshan", which deals with the sensitive issue of reservation, pending its preview by a high-level committee.

A state government spokesman said here that the screening of the film, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, has been banned in the entire state.

"The Punjab government has imposed the ban on screening of movie 'Aakarshan' in the state of Punjab till the screening committee constituted by the state previews the movie and submits its report," he said.

"The Punjab government took this decision after receiving intelligence reports that the movie has certain scenes and dialogues that may inflame the passion of some communities in Punjab," he stated.

The seven-member committee consists of Samir Kumar, Punjab secretary-home; Raj Kumar Atihai, chairman of the Safai Karamchari Board, Punjab; Vijay Danav, chairman, Scheduled Caste Welfare Board; a member of the Punjab Scheduled Caste Commission; V.K. Bhawra, inspector general intelligence; and vice chancellors of the Punjabi University, Patiala and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

The committee will watch the movie at a multiplex in Zirakpur near here Friday and submit its report to the state government for further action, the spokesman added.

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Aarakshan