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'Jhenda' release deferred after Nitesh Rane shows red flag

This is the first time that a film’s release in the city has been put off because of pressure tactics from an organisation other than the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

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The producers of the controversial Marathi film Jhenda on Thursday decided to postpone the film’s release after revenue minister Narayan Rane’s son Nitesh objected to a few scenes.

His contention was these scenes showed his father in a poor light. Jhenda was scheduled for release on Friday.

This is the first time that a film’s release in the city has been put off because of pressure tactics from an organisation other than the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

Nitesh, who heads an NGO, Swabhimaan, objected to a character, Sada Malvankar, in the film and a couple of his dialogues. The character apparently resembles Narayan Rane.

Malvankar was shown as a corrupt politician from the Konkan region. He ditches his party to join the ruling party. Rane is from Malvan in the Konkan region.

Avdhoot Gupte, the director of the film, organised a special screening of the film for Nitesh on Thursday in Andheri. Gupte announced his decision to postpone the film’s release after the screening. “I feel very sad,” Gupte said. “How will anyone feel if a leg is cut off? I am feeling the same pain.”

Nitesh said Gupte has agreed to do away with character of Sada Malvankar. “You will not see Sada Malvankar in the film,” Nitesh said. “Gupte has assured me that he will shoot the film again and delete the character. The corrupt politician will be there but his name will not be Sada Malvankar.”

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena too had objected
to a few scenes in the film. Those scenes apparently showed MNS chief Raj Thackeray in a poor light. But the party decided not to oppose the film. Reeta Gupta, the vice-president of the party’s women’s wing, said on Wednesday that viewers would take the final decision.

The film has characters resembling Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and his son Uddhav too. The Shiv Sena had, however, given its clearance after Bal Thackeray watched the movie.
Political observers say Gupte’s decision is a defeat
for the Shiv Sena. “Gupte is a Shiv Sainik. He has scripted the party’s song,” an observer said. “In such a case, the party should have supported him.”

Party leader Ramdas Kadam said he will discuss the matter with Uddhav.

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