District Authorities: No ban on 'Aligarh'

District authorities today categorically denied having imposed any "ban" on the controversial film 'Aligarh', based on the life of an AMU professor who was sacked on charges of homosexuality, even as the city mayor strongly opposed the screening of the biopic. "We have no knowledge whatsoever on this matter and no cinema owner has contacted us for seeking any sort of security for exhibiting this movie," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) J Ravindra Gaur said when asked about media reports that the movie has been banned in the district. However, the strongest opposition to the movie has come from BJP Mayor Shakuntla Bharti, who has announced that she would meet the district authorities tomorrow to seek an official ban on the movie. "This movie is against our culture. It is against the syncretic Ganga Jamuni culture of this city. 

It will bring a bad name to our city," she told PTI. Bharti said, "I would not have objected if the movie had been given some other name but we cannot accept such bad publicity for our city". Meanwhile, two AMU professors, including film critic Asim Siddiqui who saw the film on February 26, said the cinema owners might have themselves stopped the screening due to poor public response. "There were only a handful of people watching the movie that (Friday) evening. In all probability the owners of the theatre have stopped showing the movie on their own and have used the reported threats as a ruse," Siddiqui said. 

  

Notably, the 

Millat Bedari Muhim Committee (MBMC), which has a number of former AMU students, had written to Minister for Information and Broadcasting Arun Jaitley seeking a ban on the film. When contacted AMU Vice Chancellor Lt Gen (retd) Zamiruddin Shah said, "I am against the very idea of banning a movie just because a small section finds something objectionable. This only gives it unnecessary publicity." Shah said he had not seen the film and hence had no idea of its contents. MBMC Secretary Jasim Mohammad said his organisation was opposed to the biopic because "it has distorted facts". Manoj Bajpayee starrer Aligarh, which has received wide acclaim, is based on the life of AMU professor Ramchandra Siras who was suspended from his job because of his sexual orientation. He later committed suicide.

Om Puri to play Yamraaj in 'Warrior Savitri'

The makers of upcoming action drama 'Warrior Savitri' have revealed that the role of Yamraaj in their contemporary version of the Sati Savitri is played by veteran actor Om Puri.


Om Puri separates from wife Nandita
Co-producer Upendra Maheshhwari said: "We have woven the plot around the ancient fable of Sati Savitri, Satyavaan and Yamaraj from 'Mahabharata' and adapted it according to contemporary setting. The role of Yamraj is played by none other than Om Puri, the title character of Savitri is played by (legendary music composer) O.P. Nayyar's granddaughter Niharica Raizada, while Rajat Barmecha essays the character of Satyavaan." The story of Sati Savitri has inspired many women through the ages and Niharika is happy to play this character.



"Today everyone speaks about woman empowerment, discrimination with women and the changing phase of women in our society and all sectors of life. But I feel the character of Savitri which was mentioned in our scriptures was the most powerful woman to fight with Yamraaj for her love, her husband. I am very lucky and honoured to play this character in a modern avatar," she said.

Director Param Gill has showcased his versatility by composing the music of the film as well with renowned singers Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shaan and Shalmali Kholgade taking the album on another level. He said the music of the film includes diverse genres like Sufi, classical and western. 'Warrior Savitri', produced by Harinder Kanda and Maheshhwari under the banner of Dr. Bob's Production, is releasing in the summer of 2016.