Raajneeti director Prakash Jha is not worried about Congress party leaders

It looks like, controversies surrounding Prakash Jha’s upcoming movie, Raajneeti, will not die down so soon.

Recently, the director received a letter from a Congress party worker. In the long letter, the worker warned him not to derogate the “Gandhi family.” The party worker did not mention his name.

However, Prakash Jha is not worried about it at all. To him, it is just another “over-zealous” party worker who is desperate to get noticed. He said, “Why give such people importance? Please don’t mention his name. I simply don’t react. When I got the letter from the party worker, who shall go unnamed, I read it and tore it up. And, I called up the gentleman and said, 'If you think I’m going to respond in writing to your letter so that you can get mileage and publicity out of it then you’re mistaken. I want to thank you for your concern. But I’ve nothing to say to you….”

Jha decided not to respond to any political workers. He said that if the Congress party heads have any problem with the movie, they should come and see it.

This is not the first time, the director faced such allegations. Earlier, a social worker named Naseem Khan filed a case against Raajneeti in the Mumbai civil court. Mr, Khan requested the court to stay the release of the movie as it would derogate the image of Congress Party President, Sonia Gandhi. The court said that it would give his verdict after the report of the censor board.

The good news is the Censor Board cleared Raajneeti. It declared that the characters in the movie have no resemblances with any politician.

However, the Censor Board, at first, was not ready to give the movie a U/A certificate. The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal gave the movie a U/A certificate after the directed deleted some sequences. The movie had some violent scenes and reference to homosexuality. In addition, there was this love-making scene between Katrina Kaif and Arjun Rampal and almost half of the scenes had been cut off.

Censor Board clears Raajneeti after Prakash Jha chopped off some sequences

Finally, Prakash Jha’s Raajneeti got a U/A certificate from the Censor Board.

The Censor board referred the movie to the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal which gave it a U/A certificate which means, “Unrestricted Public Exhibition with parental guidance for children below 12 years,” under the condition that Prakash Jha would chop off certain dialogues and scenes.

Raajneeti has some violent scenes and references to homosexuality and a love making scene between Katrina Kaif and Arjun Rampal.

According to reliable sources, Prakash Jha had to cut down 50% of the lovemaking scene. Initially, he did not want to reveal it to the reporters. Later, he admitted to Hindustan Times.com. He said, "There was a love-making scene in the film featuring Arjun Rampal. I had to cut out 50 per cent of it. I also had to delete some abusive language in the film…It was a very aesthetically shot love making scene. Arjun and Katrina are two very beautiful people. And they made love to the camera. The Tribunal felt it was a bit too explicit for a 'UA' audience. I didn't argue.""

Earlier, a social worker named Naseem Khan filed a lawsuit to stay the release of Raajneeti for it would derogate the image of Sonia Gandhi. The good news is that the Censor Board announced that the characters in the movie do not resemble with any person living or dead.

Prakash Jha is known for making serious political movies. His major movies include Damul (1984), Mrityudand (1997), Gangaajal (2003), Apaharan (2006). Raajneeti is a political thriller which revolves around the lives of some politicians and an election.