'Singham Returns' runs into trouble?

Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor on the sets of Singham Returns. Pic/Shadab Khan

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has received around 100 emails objecting to the Ajay Devgn-starrer, Singham Returns, for allegedly showing Hindus in a bad light. Most of them have urged the CBFC to delete certain scenes in the movie, while some have called for a ban on the film.

Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor on the sets of Singham Returns. Pic/Shadab Khan

Hindu organisation Jan Jagruti Samiti, for one, has strongly voiced its displeasure over the film allegedly showing disrespect to Hindus. It has objected to dialogues such as, ‘Main yahaan investigation karne aaya hoon, tere do kaudi ka pravachan sunne nahin aaya'.

Arvind Pansare, the spokesperson for the organisation, says, "In the film, Ajay Devgn is shown praying at a mosque. If the makers can respect Muslims, why aren't they showing the same respect to Hindus. Pravachan assumes great significance for us Hindus, so we can't ignore his character's comment. We didn't raise any objections to the first instalment of Singham, but this time we were forced to do so because this film shows disrespect towards Hindus. We want all objectionable scenes to be deleted from the film; if not, the film should be banned.''

It seems that the Samiti has already written to Reliance Entertainment and the CBFC expressing their anger over the issue. Though no one from Ajay Devgn's office was available for comment, a source says that the Samiti is just trying to gain publicity by creating controversy out of a non-issue. "Ajay plays a police officer in the film and it's known that Mumbai police officers go to the Mahim dargah. Also, the film has a corrupt Sadhu as its villain; this is why Ajay addresses him in a rude
manner," says the source.

When contacted, a source from the Censor Board said, "Singham Returns has not yet been sent to us for certification. We will take a call on things after watching the film."