The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has reportedly asked the makers of Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan-starrer Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, to replace the word ‘Rajput’ in a dialogue from the film. Among multiple edits suggested, the word ‘Rajput’ has been replaced in a scene where the character Udaybhan Singh Rathore, played by Saif Ali Khan, says, “Aur main sir ek Rajput,” reported Bollywood Hungama. Udaybhan Rathod was a Rajput fort keeper under Maharaja Jai Singh, who fought against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s general Tanhaji Malusare in the Battle of Sinhagad.
The website also quoted a source as saying that the CBFC have asked the makers of the film to remove the words ‘goli’ and ‘naukrani’ and phrase ‘neecha khoon tha tu’, considering the context in which these were said. A scene where Udaybhan is shown killing his own mother has also been edited and another dialogue by Saif has been redubbed to avoid sounding like an innuendo.
During the producers of Tanhaji were called out for including the ‘Om’ symbol on the Maratha flag, which is factually incorrect. Ajay told The Quint that this has been removed "because it was technically wrong. Not because we came under pressure. We spoke to some historians and they said that there was never an ‘Om’ symbol, so we removed it.”
Set in 1670, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior is based on the life of Tanhaji Malusare, a military leader in the army of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to legend, he was enlisted by Shivaji to recapture the Kondana fort from the Mughals in what came to be known as the Battle of Sinhagad. The film has been directed by Om Raut, and stars Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan and Kajol. The film releases on 10 January.
(With inputs from Bollywood Hungama)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)