Sad! ‘Aligarh’ movie’s small screen debut had the word ‘homosexual’ beeped!

The movie ‘Aligarh‘ directed by Hansal Mehta and written by Apurva Asrani recently premiered on the small screen. The small screen debut of this Rajkummar Rao and Manoj Bajpayee starrer had the word ‘homosexual’ beeped out. The film, that is based on the story of a real-life gay professor from Aligarh University, had faced trouble from the CBFC. But after the word ‘homosexual’ was beeped out from the TV prints, the makers have been fuming red.

Writer Apurva Asrani said, “As always, we are afraid to call a homosexual what he is. But I think it extends to any discussion on sexuality, gay or straight. The regulatory body insisted we edit out the kissing scene between the heterosexual couple too. We had no choice but to strip the film of its edge. It’s sad; we as a society would rather talk about sex in double entendres and item songs, but uttering the word ‘sex’ is considered blasphemy. Imagine how confused our kids will grow up to be. I think this feat extends to any discussion on sexuality-gay or straight. Imagine a film about homosexuality has no reference to homosexuality. But they also beeped out the word sex altogether.”

He expressed his displeasure via a series of tweets that read:

Muting of the word ‘homosexuality’ & chopping of intimate scenes was imposed by censor/TV regulatory body. #Aligarh https://t.co/ZguluUMA7z

— Apurva M Asrani (@Apurvasrani) September 11, 2016

It is soul crushing for a gay person to find the word homosexual muted in #Aligarh. This is not about censorship. It is about human rights.

— Apurva M Asrani (@Apurvasrani) September 12, 2016

The movie ‘Aligarh’ directed by Hansal Mehta and written by Apurva Asrani released on February 26, 2016 and received huge acclaim.

ALSO READ: Rajkummar Rao delighted with response to ‘Aligarh’ at MISAFF, Toronto

Prajakta Ajgaonkar

Passionate about writing, and a Bollywood lover, she is all that is sweet and endearing! She desires to put her best foot forward in everything that she does and loves to help anyone who’s in need.