Punjab govt revokes ban on 'Aarakshan'

After Andhra Pradesh, Punjab government today revoked the ban on Prakash Jha's Aarakshan permitting the exhibition of the film in its revised version after some objectionable dialogues and scenes were deleted.

The Amitabh Bachchan-starrer was originally banned in three states over its controversial subject of caste-based reservation. AP lifted the ban yesterday and permitted screening of a revised version, but the ban continues in Uttar Pradesh.

Punjab govt had suspended the exhibition of the film on the basis of reports that the movie has certain objectionable scenes and dialogues, an official here said.

The govt had constituted a seven-member committee who reviewed the movie and submitted a report that there are certain dialogues or scenes which may hurt the sentiments of dalits in Punjab.

The ban imposed was continued till the scenes pointed out by the committee were removed.

Principal secretary (home) wrote a letter to director-producer Prakash Jha, pointing out the objections and the production house replied that all the objectionable scenes and dialogues have been cut from the movie.

The committee reviewed the film once again today and was satisfied to find out that the objectionable bits have been cut/deleted from the movie. Subsequently the ban on the film was lifted, the spokesman said.