Did India’s film board mandate Modi quote in Aamir Khan’s ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’?

WEB DESK: It appears that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has directed actor Aamir Khan to include a quote from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par, scheduled for release today on June 20.

According to Live Mint and Scroll.in the mandate forms part of five editorial changes recommended by the certification board before awarding the film a U/A rating on June 17. The U/A certification permits unrestricted public exhibition while advising parental guidance for children under 13 years.

According to reports, the Prime Minister’s quote, referencing 2047, India’s centenary of independence, has been incorporated following a revised opening disclaimer perhaps to cater to Viksit Bharat program. However, the specific content of Modi’s statement has not been disclosed publicly.

Aamir Khan to bring his opposite self in Sitaare Zameen Par

The film, directed by RS Prasanna, is a remake of the 2018 Spanish production Champions, which chronicles a coach court-ordered to train a team of intellectually disabled players. Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh feature in lead roles.

A nine-member revising committee headed by theatre veteran Waman Kendre reviewed the film, indicating it underwent secondary scrutiny following initial evaluation. CBFC protocols typically establish such committees when the board chairperson or producers request revision after the examining committee’s preliminary assessment.

Beyond the Prime Minister’s quote, the board instructed filmmakers to replace “businesswoman” with “business person”, reduce a 30-second visual disclaimer to a 26-second voice-over, remove visual content containing the word “kamal” (lotus) including subtitles, and substitute “Michael Jackson” with “Lovebirds” in subtitles.

Aamir Khan Films LLP has reportedly implemented all changes, as confirmed by the final clearance certificate. The film’s total runtime now stands at 2 hours, 38 minutes and 43 seconds.

The CBFC and its chairperson Rajendra Singh have declined to comment publicly on the matter. Kendre also refused to respond to media queries regarding the certification process.

The directive comes amid ongoing discussions about content regulation in Indian cinema and the certification board’s editorial recommendations for commercial releases.