Prakash Jha refuses to screen Aarakshan for NCSC

Director Prakash Jha's next film Aarakshan (reservation), starring Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone has yet again got into a controversy. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has asked for a screening of the film. They want to judge whether it is suitable for release or not.

The filmmaker however, is adamant on not showing Aarakshan to anyone outside the Censor Board prior to release. Member of Parliament and Chairman of the NCSC, P L Punia issued a notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), asking that Prakash Jha should be directed to show them the film before releasing it.

The letter further states that the commission is taking this step to ensure that Aarakshan does not misrepresent the constitutional stand and laws on reservation. Director Jha told Mid Day, "The laws of the country do not require me to show my film to any board or body, apart from the Censor Board.
The CB has been constituted to review films rate them according to viewing suitability, and address any other concerns."

"Once the film is submitted for censorship, it is the prerogative of the board, if it wants to involve any other body of people for advice," Jha further adds. Prakash further explained that Aarakshan is a film about the ramifications of the reservation policy and the commercialisation of education, seen through the experiences of a particular group of people. It explores various sides of the issue, through various characters. “My intention has been to provide a fair and balanced comment on the issue," he says.

Aarakshan is scheduled for an independence day weekend release. Jha says that they have enough time to go to the Censor Board for the censor certificate.