Jitendra Awhad, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has accused the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) of allowing “distortion of history” in film. Last night, he forcibly stopped the showing of the Marathi movie “Har Har Mahadev.”
An audience member who attempted to dissuade Awhad and his followers from stopping the screening of “Har Har Mahadev” at a multiplex in Thane, close to Mumbai, were even physically assaulted. Additionally, a complaint was made on the occurrence against the former state minister.
Awhad attacked the CBFC, popularly known as the censor board, harshly, accusing it of doing nothing to halt false information. According to Awhad, this mentality has inspired filmmakers to embellish history in the name of artistic independence and liberty and further their own goal. The cinema, which has a more enduring effect than books, is now the medium used to promote incorrect views, according to Awhad.
The Maharashtra leader questioned why the history of the Marathas was being misrepresented.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the identity of every Marathi person regardless of caste or religion because his Swarajya was the legitimate state of the Marathi people where all people were treated with equal love and justice, he continued. “Putting Shivaji Maharaj vs. Baji Prabhu Deshpande. Will Maharashtra digest this distortion?
Awhad also asserted that there have been several attempts in the previous 60–70 years to falsify the Marathas’ history. The NCP leader specifically mentioned historian Babasahib Purandare, claiming that Purandare and his domestic and international followers had spread false information about Shivaji Maharaj’s early life, his father, his spiritual and political guru, and his son Sambhaji Raje, as well as portrayed Shivaji Maharaj as a Muslim-hating king under Brahminism.
Purandare even had to apologise for inflating the truth, according to Awhad.
Awhad added that despite all the historical inaccuracies in the movie Tanhaji, certain people’s agendas were successful.
When discussing the entire incident, Awhad made the insulting and untrue allegation that Baji Prabhu Deshpande, a general in Shivaji’s army, is depicted battling with Shivaji Maharaj and assuming his name in the film.
The politician claims that Baji Prabhu is portrayed in the movie as having a larger personality than Shivaji Maharaj. Awhad remarked, “Baji Prabhu is seen instructing other courtiers as if they know nothing.
The way Shivaji dismembered Afzal Khan on his lap and the subsequent events that followed, according to the movie, are an exaggeration of Shivaji’s valour, according to Awhad.
Even bigger production companies, according to the NCP head, support similar initiatives by filmmakers on all platforms.
The conclusion of Awhad was, “The speed of such perversion is so tremendous that such history-distorting movies are hitting theatres, OTT, and television in every two or three months. Such movies teach incorrect history to the next generation.”
Jitendra Awhad, a prominent NCP figure and former Maharashtra minister, and at least 100 other people were charged by Thane Police on Tuesday for allegedly assaulting moviegoers at a multiplex showing of “Har Har Mahadev.”
Due to the alleged “distortion of history,” the former Maharashtra minister and his supporters are accused of breaking into the cinema in Thane city and interfering with the performance.
