Plaint against 'Khalid Ka Shivaji' says film can hurt sentiments, Maharashtra govt writes to I&B ministry

The film’s Cannes selection and depiction of Shivaji as a hero to a Muslim boy have sparked a political tug-of-war, with the Congress accusing the BJP of pushing a Hindutva narrative at odds with history.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has urged the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to direct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to re-examine the clearance certificate issued to Marathi film Khalid Ka Shivaji and halt its release, slated for August 8, until a decision is taken.

The request was made in a letter dated August 6 by Maharashtra Culture Secretary Kiran Kulkarni to the I&B Secretary. It comes amid claims by right-wing organisations that the film distorts the history of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The letter warned that the exhibition of the film in its current form may lead to law and order problems. The government had received a written complaint on August 5 from right-wing activist Nilesh Bhise, who, after viewing the film’s trailer, alleged that certain dialogues were factually incorrect and likely to hurt public sentiments.

Protests were staged during the recent state film awards function in Mumbai, where a group of people demanded either a ban on the film or deletion of its controversial dialogues.

The letter urged the I&B Ministry to direct the CBFC to re-examine the film’s certificate and keep the exhibition of the film in abeyance until the process is complete. The CBFC, a statutory body under the I&B Ministry, regulates public exhibition of films under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Films can only be screened in India after CBFC certification.

Directed by Raj Pritam More, Khalid Ka Shivaji follows the journey of a Muslim boy who seeks inspiration from the legendary 17th-century Maratha warrior king.

State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant criticised the BJP-led Mahayuti government for seeking to block the film’s release based merely on its trailer and “without any genuine understanding” of its content. He alleged the move was driven by pressure from right-wing groups and aligned with the BJP’s divisive ideology.

“Once again, it becomes evident that the BJP is intent on portraying Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj solely as an icon of Hindutvawad — a narrow, bigoted, and conservative image that is factually incorrect,” Sawant said.

He described the move as a “ridiculous and condemnable attempt to diminish the towering stature of Shivaji Maharaj” and a disservice to the progressive, inclusive ideology exemplified by his life.

“Why can’t Maharaj be Khalid’s hero? Why is the BJP so disturbed if Muslims identify with the values of Shivaji Maharaj?” Sawant asked.

The Congress leader also pointed out that Khalid Ka Shivaji was honoured with the distinction of representing India at the Cannes Film Festival — a feat that he claimed no politically patronised propaganda film had achieved on the international stage.

“As for Khalid Ka Shivaji, while we may not fully know the filmmaker’s intent, it is a well-documented historical fact that Muslims were an integral part of Shivaji Maharaj’s army,” he said.

On the issue of the mosque shown in the film’s trailer, Sawant cited historical references. “In New History of the Marathas – Volume 1 by eminent historian and Padma Bhushan awardee G.S. Sardesai (also known as Riyasatkaar), it is clearly stated on pages 264–265 that Shivaji Maharaj had a mosque constructed for his Muslim soldiers,” he said.