Subhash K Jha (DNA; October 27, 2015)
Who would have thought that Sooraj Barjatya’s cinema known for its vegetarian aesthetics would be pulled for its language before being granted a censor certificate? This is exactly what happened when Sooraj Barjatya’s latest film Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (PRDP) was submitted for a censor certificate on Friday afternoon. Says a well-informed source, “The Censor Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) granted Prem Ratan Dhan Payo a ‘U’ certificate, but asked for three cuts. The word ‘Chinar’ (used to describe an immoral woman or a mistress) was used twice in the dialogues. The CBFC asked for the word to be removed and replaced by a less derogatory word. Women will not be referred to in disparaging tones even if Sooraj’s films are known to respect women.”
The other cut was made on religious grounds. A line from a song was removed to ensure it desn’t hurt religious sentiments. Says the source, “There is a lengthy antakshari sequence during a Ram Leela performance in the film where the line Maar Diya Jay Ke Chhod Diya Jaye was used. The CBFC could not allow a frivolous line to break into the feeling of religious fervor. That line was removed. These minor changes apart PRDP sailed smoothly through the censors.”