Row over movie on Shivaji: Cultural Affairs dept asks censor board to re-examine ‘Khalid Ka Shivaji’ certification

“The State Government has received a written complaint dated 05/08/2025 from Shri Nilesh Bhise alleging that certain dialogue in the said film related to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are factually incorrect and likely to hurt public sentiments, after viewing the trailer. It has been further brought to notice that protests were recently staged during the State Film Awards function demanding a ban on the film and deletion of the controversial dialogues. There is apprehension that the exhibition of this film in its present form may lead to law and order problems in the State. It is also learnt that the film is scheduled to be released on 08/08/2025,” said the letter from state’s Cultural Affairs department secretary Dr Kiran Kulkarni to Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

“In view of the protests, prevailing public sentiment, and the apprehension of disturbance to public order, I am to request that the Ministry may kindly invoke the powers vested under Section 6(1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 as prohibitory temporary measure and direct the CBFC to re-examine the certificate issued for the said film. It is further requested that the exhibition of the film be kept in abeyance until a decision is taken after re-examination,” the letter said.