Why Maharashtra Govt wants film ‘Khalid Ka Shivaji’ put on hold

At the heart of the dispute lies a long-standing ideological debate in Maharashtra on whether Shivaji Maharaj was primarily a Hindu warrior-king or a secular, inclusive ruler who stood against oppression regardless of religion.

About Khalid Ka Shivaji

Khalid Ka Shivaji has been made by director Raj Pritam More, who in 2019 won the National Film Award for his Marathi film Khissa under the ‘Best Debut Non-Feature Film of a Director’ category. His latest film, which is to be released this week, is about a Muslim boy who learns about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj through life experiences.

The 2.3-minute trailer of the film, which has caused offence, shows the story of a boy named Khalid living in Vidarbha’s Wardha district, focusing on his life experiences as a student as well as his admiration of Shivaji Maharaj. The movie, from publicly available footage, shows Khalid being taunted by his classmates as Afzal Khan, the Adilshahi general killed by Shivaji Maharaj and much hated in Maharashtra.

A voiceover in the film talks about 35 per cent of Shivaji Maharaj’s soldiers being Muslims, 11 of his bodyguards being from the community, and Shivaji Maharaj having built a mosque for his soldiers in Raigad, the seat of the Maratha throne.

“A true king is someone who does not believe in religion. A true king is someone who follows the religion of the whole world,” a character is heard saying in the movie. The movie also shows the character of Khalid dressing up as Shivaji Maharaj.

Why are members of the right wing upset with the movie?

The tussle over the portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra is a long-running ideological conflict between secular-progressive groups and right-wing Hindutva organisations. The dispute is mainly over what Shivaji Maharaj stood for, and if he should be remembered as a Hindutva icon, or as a secular, inclusive, anti-caste symbol of justice and regional self-rule.

Right-wing groups have often portrayed Shivaji Maharaj an early symbol of Hindu nationalism, resisting “foreign” Islamic rule and establishing a Hindu state (Hindavi Swarajya).

Secular thinkers, historians, and leftists, however, have challenged this description, arguing that Shivaji Maharaj was not anti-Muslim, but anti-oppression.

Veteran Communist leader Govind Pansare, in his widely read book Shivaji Kon Hota? (Who Was Shivaji?), portrayed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a secular, inclusive, and anti-caste ruler. Pansare was killed in February 2015 near his home in Kolhapur.

One of the central aspects of Pansare’s narrative was Shivaji’s treatment of Muslims. He highlighted that Shivaji Maharaj employed several Muslims in high-ranking positions within his army and administration, and cited several historical incidents where Shivaji Maharaj respected mosques and religious sites.

What do the right wing groups want and how has the state reacted?

On Tuesday, two men shouted slogans demanding a ban on the movie at the Maharashtra State Film Awards function in the presence of Fadnavis.

As the CM rose to speak, the two protesters stood up in the auditorium, holding placards and shouting that “distortion of history” should be stopped.

Fadnavis halted his address and told the duo he had heard their demands, requesting them not to disrupt the programme. As they continued to shout, the police whisked them out of the auditorium.

Hindu Mahasangh, based in Maharashtra’s Pune, has lodged its objections with both the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the film’s producers.

“The film attempts to distort the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The producers have depicted him as secular, which we find unacceptable. If the film is not banned, we will protest at the theatres where it is shown,” said Anand Dave, chairman of the Hindu Mahasangh.

“We urge all theatres in Pune not to screen this film. If it is shown in rural areas, we will visit cinema halls and hold lectures on the true history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said.

Dave further claimed that the film tries to change the historical narrative.

“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged to us, to Hindus, and Marathas. Our objection is to the very idea of Khalid Ka Shivaji,” he stated.

The Maharashtra government, meanwhile, has said it will seek the cancellation of the CBFC certification of the film.

“We understand the emotions of the people who have submitted their objections regarding the film. The CBFC has given certification to this film. I have asked… The Principal Secretary of the Department of Cultural Affairs has been directed to reconsider the CBFC certification for the film. Hurting public sentiments and misrepresenting history is something that is unacceptable and I would ask the CBFC to reconsider its decision,” Maharashtra Culture minister Ashish Shelar said.