DD tells JP film director to hatao the Indira hatao stuff

‘‘No way,’’ Jha told The Indian Express from Mumbai. ‘‘I don’t want to learn history or creativity from them.’’

Jha was faxed a copy of the Prasar Bharati letter to the Department of Culture — it had commissioned the film — which called for these specific deletions.

Prasar Bharati also wants Jha to provide a counterpoint to the ‘‘need to impose Emergency.’’

He said he tried hard to get former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao to speak but the latter declined. ‘‘Even my brother called him twice but Rao excused himself.’’

The Prasar Bharati letter also points out that the film does not portray a balanced presentation of events of the time, and in view of the sensitivities involved, the programme needs modifications. The Department of Culture has been asked to convey its opinion before November 1.

Jha said he received a copy of the letter only after he persuaded Prasar Bharati CEO K S Sarma to send in writing the ‘‘objectionable portions’’ in the film.

Although the film was submitted seven months ago, the letter on the objections was shot off only today to both Jha and Department of Culture. According to Jha, Sarma wrote to him on August 23, assuring all help in the pre-publicity for the film. But Sarma said he had given no assurance to Jha on the date for the telecast: ‘‘How can I give an assurance before it is even previewed?’’

On the issue of deleting the audio, Jha hit out at Sarma: ‘‘Does he know what he wants or is it just his political bosses he is trying to please?” ‘‘It is history we are dealing with. And all that has been stated in the film is factually correct,’’ he said, adding he had taken no liberty with the film though he had been in complete awe of his subject.