'This film makes derogatory references to Nehru'

Kolkata: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is in the middle of another controversy surrounding the certification of

Milan Bhowmick

's '

Danga The Riot

' starring

Gajendra Chauhan

. The Bengali version of this bilingual film depicts the three-month period leading to August 16, 1946, when the infamous riots broke out in the city and lasted for three days. The film was sent for certification to the Kolkata office of

CBFC

. But the members felt that the content of the film is too sensitive and can easily provoke communal tension.

Agnimitra Paul

, who is part of CBFC and has watched the film, said, 'The film has a heavy dose of violence. There are too many dialogues that are very sensitive.' Is it true that Jawaharlal Nehru's portrayal is unflattering? 'Yes. There are dialogues in the film where derogatory and unflattering comments on his personal life have been made.

Mohammad Jinnah

has been shown as speaking about how

Nehru

had an affinity towards partition. Words like 'aiyashi' has been used in Nehru's context. In one scene, Jinnah tells Nehru: 'Duniya jante hain tum toh aiyashi ho. Tumhe apni pawar ka chinta hain Hindustan ke liye tumhara koi chinta nahin. Ekdin desh ka awam tumhein utha ke phekh denge chhahe so sal baad mein kyun na ho'. How can such dialogues be cleared? Tomorrow if this movie releases and a riot is sparked off, Board members will be hauled up.'

The film was then referred to the Mumbai office of CBFC. 'I understand that the film is about the riots of 1946. But we can't possibly be showing something that sparks off another riot in 2016. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy has also been shown in a poor light,' Paul said.

On being told that the director is planning to move court, she said, 'Let him go to court and get a clearance from there.'

Bhowmick said he has proof to suggest that whatever he has shown in the film is historically accurate. To this, Paul said, 'Even if it is historically accurate, one has to bear in mind today's situation and not circulate any information that might trigger tension. As CBFC members, we have to be responsible.'