Uttar Pradesh lifts ban on `Aaja Nachle' after Yash Chopra apology
Saturday, December 1, 2007

Lucknow, Dec.1 (ANI): Film maker Yash Chopra's apology today to the Government of Uttar Pradesh in connection with the lyrics of one of the songs in the film `Aaja Nachle' paved the way for the lifting of a state ban. 

Yash Raj Films, which has produced `Aaja Nachle', said the offending parts of the song have been taken out from prints across the country.  

"It was not our intention to hurt the feelings of any individual or community of our great nation. If we have inadvertently hurt the sentiments of anybody we apologise. We have taken immediate remedial action by deleting the lines from prints of Aaja Nachle all over the country, " a statement from the organisation, said. 

Earlier in the day, the Punjab government had also imposed a ban on the film's screening a day after its release.  

Mayawati had imposed a ban on the film's audio and video CDs and had also written to the Prime Minister asking for a nationwide ban on the film. 

But the Centre had ruled out a nation-wide ban after the producers agreed to withdraw the offending parts.  

Both Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have a large number of Dalits and they form a sizeable vote bank. 

Dalit activists had on Friday protested against the movie at a prominent cinema theatre in New Delhi and said the lyrics had not only humiliated the community, but were also unconstitutional. 

Director Anil Mehta has agreed to remove the offensive words. 

"We didn't set out to make a film which would offend any sensibility. It's not our intention to hurt any section of the society. We made the film in good spirit and faith. And if for some reason it offended the sensibilities of some people, we will delete the line," said Anil Mehta, Director, Aaja Nachle. 

Censor Board Chairperson Sharmila Tagore has also apologised for passing what may have been politically incorrect lyrics.  

But the ban has not gone down well with many of Madhuri's fans and they are disappointed with the treatment being meted out to the film. 

"I don't know why Mayawati felt the references were derogatory. She is unnecessarily bringing in politics" said a moviebuff.  

"They are normal lyrics. There is no comparison. Many songs with horrible lyrics have become hits. Those songs should be banned," said another movie goer. (ANI with inputs) -AJ