Jha’s film on JP nets

For all the dilly-dallying by Doordarshan on Lok Nayak, the telecast wasn’t a commercial disaster. The telecast last night, following p...

For all the dilly-dallying by Doordarshan on Lok Nayak, the telecast wasn’t a commercial disaster. The telecast last night, following public pressure, criticism from the Opposition and certification from the Censor Board to boot, clinched Rs 50 lakh for the public service broadcaster, that on a slot usually reserved for blockbusters.

The Department of Culture which funded the venture two years ago, had commissioned it to filmmaker Prakash Jha for a little less than a crore.

The advertisers for Doordarshan, namely Hindustan Lever and P&G, stayed on as commercial rates were sold for upwards of Rs 75,000 for a 10-second commercial. DD has the rights to repeat the telecast if it wants to.

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‘‘It is the first time that DD has telecast a documentary on the film slot of 9.30 pm,’’ said Vijaylakshmi Chabbra, marketing head of Prasar Bharati Corporation.

Only a few months ago, DD had raised questions on the contents of the film and ordered Jha to delete ‘‘objectionable’’ portions — namely critical references to Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi during Emergency. While Jha refused to toe the Government line, he edited a comment on Sanjay Gandhi for want of adequate proof. ‘‘I felt the comment could not be substantiated,’’ Jha had said.

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