Controversies on content, dialogues and even the titles of the Films/Web Series for various reasons before release haven't been far away from Bollywood. Either individuals object to the storyline or it is the Censor Board that totally dismisses the arrival of the film. A few Films/Web Series have confronted such fire every now and then. One of such recent case is Akshay Kumar’s movie with titled “Laxxmi Bomb” which has to be renamed as “Laxxmi” as religious groups approach the Supreme Court considering it as an attack on religious grounds. This is not the first time when something of this sort has happened. Previously, many such incidents have happened where the Court or Censor Board had intervened in between. One of such most hyped case was of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Padmavat” where Censor Board proposed to change title from “Padmavati” to “Padmavat”. However other than title controversy there were a whole heap of obstruction raised and petitions filed in Supreme Court to ban movie on grounds of religious obstructions and promoting sati (Viacom 18 Media Partners & Ors. Vs. Union of India, Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s).36/2018). Sanjay Leela Bhansali was also grilled for the title of his film “Ram – Leela” which was later changed to “Goliyon ki Rasleela Ram – Leela” after a petition was filed against the film accusing it to hurt religious sentiments and also said that its defaming Hindus divinity Lord Shri Ram. Hence, the makers had to go for a new title.
The movie “Loveratri” was made to change its tile to “Loveyatri” when Court asked the police to register an FIR against Salman Khan following a complaint that the title and content of the film hurt religious sentiments of Hindus and was alleged of making fun of the holy festival of Navratri and hence a complaint was file U/s 153A of IPC which led the makers change the title. Similarly, the title of Varun Tej starrer film “Valmiki” has been changed to “Gaddalakonda Ganesh”. The film’s title was reportedly changed after a petition was filed by Boya Hakkula Porata Samithi in the Telangana High Court and also representations made by members of the community to the district collectors of Kurnool and Anantapur. Further, Kangana Ranaut's “Judgementall Hai Kya” was initially named “Mental Hai Kya”. However, the makers had to change the name of the film following a complaint by the Indian Psychiatric Society. Indian Psychiatric Society claimed that the initial title of the film sounds "discriminative" and "degrading" for people suffering from mental illness. Director Faisal Saif has renamed his film from “Main Hoon Rajinikanth” to “Main Hoon Rajini” after Rajinikanth had filed a suit on the film's title and its content.
Another movie title controversy was movie “Madras Café” starring John Abraham which was based on the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The makers, who had initially named the film as “Jaffna” a place located in Sri Lanka, had to change it to Madras Cafe at the rear of gigantic pressure from the Neighboring Country, which felt it would show them in a bad light. One blast from the past is Karan Johar's “My Name is Khan” which sparked off a huge controversy due to his title. However, after a huge combat Karan was able to sustain his Title. Recently, the Central Board of Film Certification has denied certification to a film titled “#MeToo” unless its makers change the movie’s name. Harsh Warrdhan’s #MeToo is 110-minute indie film about a young woman being kidnapped and sexually assaulted in a moving car.
Madhur Bhandarkar - Karan Johar Title Controversy
Recently released web series on Netfilx titled “Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives” produced by Karan Johar was accused of title infringement by Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar. Madhur Bhandarkar through a Press Release notified that the rights to using the title “Bollywood Wives” is with him. He also attached copies of the letter from various film bodies showing that the rights to using the title “Bollywood Wives” belongs to Madhur Bhandarkar with a copy of the letter that showed IMPPA asking Karan Johar and his production house about use of title in the absence of any formal registration done on their part. However, on 26th November, 2020 Karan Johar through Press Release apologise Madhur Bhandarkar which was later on accepted by Madhur Bhandarkar through a Tweet.
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