Cops and censor board leave Abhimanyu battle-scarred

The verdict: A production trying to make an emphatic statement on the men in uniform has been remanded to custody and the creative minds which conjured up scalding reality have been clamped firmly in handcuffs.

The producer, Hari Patankar toldThe Indian Express that the board certified the play for five public shows on Wednesday but changed its mind almost instantly. It abruptly sent audiences back from the theatre on July 30 and 31 and instead converted the shows into previews for invitees including police officers.

The third preview will be held tomorrow at Dinanath Natyagriha, Vile Parle E, which will be attended by the police, press and other special guests. In effect, the play, directed by Satish Pulekar also the protagonist and scripted by Praveen Shantaram, is now in limbo.

Police bulldozed its way in when the producer approached them for a licence for the tickets sale. Alerted by the bold read uncomplimentary advertisement, the men in uniform suggested that they preview the play before its public release. A preview had also been requested by the censor board.

Says a cautious Shantaram Nandgaonkar, chairperson of the censor board: quot;The board had already suggested 18 cuts. Since they were executed, there is nothingobjectionable left. However, we thought the opinion of the police force will be valuable.quot;

Around seven police officers from the Theatre Branch of the Mumbai police who attended the first show, conveyed their opinion to the board today. But the letter sent by the Theatre Branch suggests the quot;elimination of overdramatic and histrionic situations which do not delineate the police force correctlyquot; and which can mislead the general audience. The communique says future performances should be allowed only after the script is suitably changed.

Says a police officer from the Theatre Branch who viewed Abhimanyu: quot;We certainly don8217;t recommend a ban. We have suggested minor changes here and there, which will make the play more realistic.quot; So much for small mercies.

Nandgaonkar says the suggestions will be considered. quot;I shall watch the play tomorrow He didn8217;t before clearing Mee Nathuram8230; . Certain police officers will also be present. Theatre critics will, of course, be around. We are taking everyprecaution to avoid controversies.quot;

Patankar, of course, is mighty miffed. quot;It is just a non-controversial story of the difficulties faced by a sincere police officer and the resultant tension faced by his wife. I do not understand the fuss over it. In fact, we had, on our own, called friends in the police, including a former senior police officer, Suresh Pendse, for the first show. They did not object to anything.quot;

Patankar adds: quot;The censor board has taken things too far. One can understand the controversy over Mee Nathuram8230; But why should plays on social issues be treated like this? Without the cuts, the play would have been more realistic8230; after all, the first thing one hears in a police station is an expletive.quot;

Ruing the inconvenience, he says: quot;I had already got the dates for 10 shows. Now, I shall have to reapply for the certificate.quot;

Interestingly, Mee Nathuram8216;s producer Uday Dhurat was among the invitees for the first show. Echoing Patankar8217;s view, he observes: quot;This istriple censorship. Why should the police be asked for their special opinion? Is the board not competent enough to decide on behalf of all sections of society? This is ridiculous.quot;

The cuts, he reiterates, were unnecessary. He cites a line from Abhimanyu: Varoon dabav aala ki aamhi hoto vardisakat vikau Once there is political pressure, we and our uniforms become instantly saleable. quot;Such lines are easily permitted in Hindi films. If the politician-police nexus is shown in the movies, why shy away from it on stagequot;, he asks.

quot;They have cut off the limbs of the play,quot; he retorts.

Cuts recommended