CBFC orders out Bapu references in OK Jaanu

Karan Johar and Shaad Ali probably did not expect a hue and cry when they added a few light-hearted references to Mahatma Gandhi in their new movie, OK Jaanu.

However, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) thought otherwise, and asked the makers to remove all Gandhian references from the movie. And the consequences are slightly bizarre, to say the least.

In the movie’s soundtrack, Bapu has been replaced by Babu and Sabarmati has been changed to — believe it or not — Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market). The reference to Bapu’s legendary cloth-weaving charkha too has been ordered out. The line “Charkha kar rahe the (was weaving the charkha)” is now “Chane kha rahe the (was eating channa).” Another bit removed was a reference to khaadi, the hand-woven fabric that the Mahatma endorsed.

Says a source close to the move, “These were all light-hearted, bantering references, not in the least hurtful or offensive, let alone insulting to Gandhiji. Are we mad to insult the Father of the Nation?”

However, CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani is firm on this topic. “We’re very clear on this issue. No light-hearted references to any political figure. Phir Gandhiji toh Gandhiji hain.”