Indian nationalist group destroys posters, cutouts of Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s Pathaan in Gujarat

Things seem to be getting worse for Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s Pathaan as the film’s posters have fallen victim to violence in India’s Gujarat. Hindu nationalist group Bajrang Dal destroyed posters and other promotional material for the film in a mall and threatened multiplex staff.

According to Bollywood Hungama, Bajrang Dal members visited Alpha One mall in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad and caused a ruckus in the multiplex area where Pathaan was being promoted via posters and cardboard cutouts of the stars. The group was seen tearing down the posters and cutouts of Khan and Padukone in a video shared by ANI. Bajrang Dal even threatened multiplex staff and told them to ban the film from screening in theatres.

The film and its star cast came under fire long before anything about the movie was revealed except its name. Calling the film Pathaan was a cause for concern for many a nationalist group. The song ‘Besharam Rang’ drove them mad when it released, with the sight of Khan and Padukone grooving to the upbeat tune by the beachside in Europe enraging them. Political leader Narottam Mishra of the BJP found the costumes and content of the song so “objectionable” that he wanted it fixed. Some hardline Hindus also decried the colour of Padukone’s orange bikini.

Shortly after the criticism of the song, the India’s Central Board of Film Certification advised filmmakers to implement changes in the movie, including the songs, and submit a revised version for certification. Now, Bollywood Hungama reported that the CBFC has made three changes in the song, starting with doing away with close ups of Padukone’s body due to partial nudity, sexual dance moves and some lyrics. However, the site also mentioned that it’s unclear whether shots of Padukone in the saffron-coloured swimsuit, the same one that caused the uproar, have made it to the final cut.

Indian media reported that after few changes, the board certified Pathaan on Monday for screening in theatres on January 25.