Film based on 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots will not be screened in the Uttar Pradesh district
Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; June 21, 2016)

Memories of the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots have returned to haunt local authorities in the Uttar Pradesh district with an upcoming film, Shorgul, being made on it.

However, with barely a few days away from its release, the Muzaffarnagar district magistrate has decided not to allow screening of the Jimmy Sheirgill and Ashutosh Rana-starrer, we hear. “Since it is a sensitive issue, the district authorities are worried that it might reopen old wounds and lead to violence. That’s why they are not in favour of allowing the film to enter theatres in Muzaffarnagar,” says a film distribution source.

Since the film’s trailer released, there has been talk about how the role essayed by Sheirgill bears a striking resemblance to UP politician Sangeet Som, an accused in the riots. Getting jittery, Som had reportedly also filed a PIL for a ban on Shorgul. “The film has been on the radar of various political parties as well as the Censor Board for touching upon issues like Muzzafarnagar riots, Babri Masjid demolition, Godhra riots and now Kairana. The Board had also asked the makers to mute words like Godhra and Gau Ganga from the film, which was complied with. Interestingly, most of the scenes have been shot during real time political rallies and proceedings,” adds the source.

Confirming the news about a ban on Shorgul in Muzaffarnagar, the film’s co- producer Vyas Verma says, “We have repeatedly stated that Shorgul is not a depiction of any specific incident or occurrence, but a reflection of what happens in our society keeping Uttar Pradesh as the backdrop. But, this news (of the film’s ban in Muzaffarnagar) is unfortunate and sad. We want to question the authorities why they are particularly stopping the film in Muzaffarnagar. Are they afraid of anything?”

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; May 23, 2016)

Trust the Censor Board to throw up surprises when you least expect them. At times, it shows leniency to films peppered with expletives or those with cuss words in their title while in other cases, takes offence to the least objectionable things. Now, if the latest buzz is to be believed, the Board has granted a U/A certificate to upcoming film Shorgul based on the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. The communal massacre claimed 62 lives and resulted in the displacement of over 60,000 people in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Says a source, “The Censor Board seems to be ignorant of the repercussions that the riots had. It was the worst episode of communal violence in UP in recent history. Fortunately for the makers, the Board passed Shorgul with a U/A certificate and effected minor cuts here and there.”

Sources close to the production team say the political drama that features Jimmy Sheirgill, Sanjay Suri, Ashutosh Rana, Hiten Tejwani and Eijaz Khan in lead roles confirm that no major cuts were suggested by the Censor Board despite the film being based on Uttar Pradesh politics, and the characters modelled after real politicians like UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, Sangeet Singh Som, Azam Khan, etc against whom there are certain allegations related to the riots.

Aman Singh, the film’s producer, says, “Yes, Shorgul has received a U/A certificate. We are happy that the Censor Board has given a fair chance to this movie to be presented before the masses.”

1,000-strong police contingent deployed to protect the actor from fan frenzy as he shoots for his upcoming film in UP
MID-DAY (April 21, 2016)

Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh is reeling under the impact of having Salman Khan amidst them. The star is currently shooting for his film, Sultan, in Bihargarh village in Morna Tehsil of Muzaffarnagar and the local police machinery has swung into action to protect the star from fan frenzy. It is learnt that the state government has deployed a 1,000-strong police contingent for the shoot. UP Chief

Minister Akhilesh Yadav is overseeing the security measures and has given strict instructions to the police that they must avoid taking snapshots with the star or even shaking hands with him.

Says a source, “Salman arrived late on Tuesday night in a convoy of a dozen cars amidst tight security. He is staying at a farmhouse in the outskirts of the village. As soon as word spread that the star would be arriving, multitude of his fans began thronging the area, but they were kept at bay.” Adds the source, “Salman was escorted to the farmhouse from the back gate. He had over 20 bouncers accompanying him. The road leading to the farmhouse was closed for the public and only people associated with the film could enter the premises.”

The star began shooting on Wednesday afternoon and the scenes shot included a wrestling bout for which a special akhada was created. Another shot required him to lift a tractor and some scenes were shot in the local block office. The unit had put up boards saying ‘Haryana’ which raised many eyebrows.

The source further adds, “It appeared that they were recreating Haryana in UP. Onlookers wondered why they did not go to shoot in Haryana.” A lot of fans were also left asking why Anushka Sharma, who features in the film with him, was missing, but Anushka has completed her part of the shoot in the earlier New Delhi schedule. She is currently in Punjab shooting for her own production, Phillauri.