In light of the recent Manmarziyaan controversy and scenes being cut from the film without director Anurag Kashyap’s consent, Vikramaditya Motwane has come out in support of his friend saying he doesn’t understand why the makers felt the need to bow down to protestors.
“I understand they made the decision because they were facing a loss in revenue. But is a small loss in revenue equal or more important than the loss of a vision? Tomorrow, the Censor Board may say that no person from Punjab can be shown smoking onscreen. It’s a dangerous precedent to set,” Motwane says.
The makers of the film have made three cuts following protests and the filing of a complaint by Sikh groups alleging that some scenes in the film offended their religious sentiments.
Motwane says that what’s upsetting is that these cuts have been made after the film’s release, and for no good reason. “I am a minor co-producer of the film and I am supporting Anurag. I am displeased that he was not informed of the decision. When the Censor Board has already cleared the film, then why are we bowing down to external forces that are not legal?,” he says, adding, “Permission (of the Sikh community) was taken when the film was being shot in Punjab, and at that time no one’s sentiments were hurt. Why there is a fight about it now?”.
Meanwhile, Kashyap himself has lashed out at the makers for their decision to re-cut portions of the romantic-drama.
