Shilpi Sampad (MID-DAY; June 23, 2016)

Looks like there’s more trouble in store for Jimmy Sheirgill- starrer Shorgul, which has raised the hackles of the political fraternity in Uttar Pradesh and recently, invited a ban in a few cities — the film touches upon the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. The Khamman Peer Baba Committee in Lucknow has issued a fatwa against the actor and producers for hurting their sentiments.

Sources close to the film claim after Muzaffarnagar, Kandhla, Meerut and a few other places, the film is facing a ban in prime cities like Lucknow and Kanpur. The makers are now said to have approached UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to facilitate Shorgul’s release. Earlier this month, a PIL had been filed requesting a stay on the film’s release, alleging that it spreads communal disharmony and maligns political figures — Jimmy’s character, Ranjit Om, is said to be modelled after MLA Sangeet Som, an accused in the riots. Now, the Lucknow-based committee has taken offence to certain scenes and dialogues in the film which they feel might ignite hatred and, eventually, violence, in the state.

The fatwa mentions, “We will not allow the film to be screened in Uttar Pradesh or let Jimmy Sheirgill shoot in the state ever again.” Jimmy, who is currently in Canada with his family, could not be reached for a comment.

Swatantra Vijay Singh, the film’s co-producer, confirms the story and says, “Yes we have received the fatwa, but our film is a cinematic recreation of various tragic incidents that transpired in the past. Our film will decode the humanity-intolerance equation in the most non-controversial manner.”

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?”