The Regional Censor Board has clarified that there is nothing objectionable in the song, sulle sullu... from the film Preeti Yeke Bhoomi Melide.
The film was shown to experts on Thursday after allegations of the Board not doing its job properly had surfaced during the protest by Srirama Sene members on Wednesday.
Journalists Premkumar Hariyabbe and Poornima and columnist Haldodderi Sudheendra did not find anything objectionable in the song and said the film could be released.
“The film has borrowed a couple of charanas (stanzas) from Shishunal Sharief’s Tatvapada where these lines appear. Seen in the context of the film, there is nothing that would hurt the sentiments of any community as is being made out,” Hariyabbe said.
Censor Officer Chandrashekhar said the controversy had arisen because of misconception by some people and pointed out that the Board would itself suggest cuts in such instances. The film will be released on Friday.
Vasanth Kumar, president of city unit of Srirama Sene, said that the Sene would continue with the protest against screening of the movie.
“The Censor Board does not want to antagonise the producer and director of the movie. But the song is being used by people of other communities to tease Hindus”, he said.
He said the Sene has already appealed to the owners of Kapali theatre not to release the movie. Similarly other theatres would also be requested not to screen the movie. If the appeal is not heard the Sene will intensify the protest across the State, he added.