By Team Clarion
MUMBAI — Hindutva groups are seeking a ban on the film Khalid Ka Shivaji, objecting to its portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji as a secular ruler who worked alongside Muslims. The film is directed by National Award-winner Rajpritam More.
More has said the film presents historical facts showing that battles in Shivaji’s era were driven by governance and political needs, not religion. According to him, “The idea is to show that history is richer and more united than the narrow picture being spread today. Shivaji’s greatness was not about dividing people, but about protecting all.”
However, right-wing organisations have taken offence. The Pune-based Hindu Maha Sangh has written to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Government of India demanding a ban. Anand Dave, the group’s head, declared, “This film is trying to show Shivaji as a secular ruler, which is against his real identity. If this is released, we will protest at every theatre.”
Dave also threatened action in rural areas of Pune, saying his members would “make people aware of the real history.”
This protest echoes an incident a day earlier at Mumbai’s NCPA auditorium, where some individuals shouted slogans against the film in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis responded mildly, saying, “Okay, your demand has reached us. Now sit down, don’t spoil the programme.” The protesters were eventually removed by police.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
