Soha Ali Khan and Vir Das’ next release 31 October is in Censor trouble. The film was recently submitted to the Board for certification. However, they have raised objections on certain scenes. 31 October is being pitched as the first mainstream film ever based on the assassination of Indira Gandhi and what it led to. Set against the backdrop of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the film is touted to be a true-life story of a Sikh family and their fight for survival. Other than Soha Ali Khan, the film also stars Vir Das as the lead protagonist.
“The makers are considering the changes that have been suggested but since these are integral to the film’s narrative, they are trying to figure out how to go about it,” informs our source, “They can’t afford to lose the core essence of the film by incorporating any random cuts.” All of this would mean that the film may not really make it for its October 30 release. “The timing is the key here,” a trade source adds, “For 31 October to release; there couldn’t have been a better date than October 30. It is as timely as it gets. However, this date is now being challenged.”
“Since the film’s subject is quite sensitive, the Censor has asked for some cuts,” a close associate of director Shivaji Lotan Patil adds, “We do respect the suggestions and are trying to find a perfect balance between the story we want to tell and the conditions that Censor Board has for the certification.”
Time is the key essence here though as once the cuts are incorporated; the film would have to be resubmitted to the Censor board. The team is hoping that there are no additional hindrances that it faces en route release. “You never know which political, social or religious outfit ends up raising objections all of a sudden,” the associate adds, “It is another menace that one has to be prepared for all the time.”
Now that’s one eventuality that the film would have to deal with, considering the subject in hand. If the film indeed makes it to the October 30, though then Soha would be clashing with her hubby Kunal Khemu’s Guddu Ki Gun, which is slated for arrival on the same date.
