25 Years of Ajay-Devgn starrer Zakhm: When chief secretary of Maharashtra told Mahesh Bhatt, “The film will remain in the cans. We will ban it; it will never see the light of the day if it said the truth”

By Fenil Seta -

December 25, 2023 - 4:11 PM IST

Zakhm (1998) celebrated its 25th anniversary on December 25. Starring Ajay Devgn, Sonali Bendre, Pooja Bhatt, Nagarjuna and Kunal Kemmu (as a child actor), the drama made an important comment about secularism and hence, remains memorable even today. It was also Mahesh Bhatt's last film as a director until he wore the director's hat again for Sadak 2 (2020). While the film is remembered for its theme, the touching song 'Gali Mein Aaj Chand Nikla', message and performances, what many are not aware of is that it faced an uphill task while getting clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Suketu Mehta documented this struggle of Mahesh Bhatt in his book 'Maximum City'.

25 Years of Ajay-Devgn starrer Zakhm: When chief secretary of Maharashtra told Mahesh Bhatt, “The film will remain in the cans. We will ban it; it will never see the light of the day if it said the truth”

Suketu was present along with Mahesh Bhatt and writer Tanuja Chandra at the Censor preview of Zakhm, held at Liberty Cinema, Mumbai. The members applauded the filmmaker for making a sensitive film. However, the chairperson asks why the Muslim cop is shown in a good light. Both Mahesh Bhatt and Tanuja Chandra clarified that the cop was a Hindu character. Since his name wasn't made obvious, the chairperson suggested that the needful should be done. The other change was asked in the dialogue 'This Mussalman boy' be changed to 'This boy'.

Suketu Mehta was stunned when Mahesh Bhatt instantly agreed to both suggestions, telling the writer later that he was less confrontational by then. But Mahesh was forced to make a plea when the CBFC members announced that they'll give an 'A' certificate to Zakhm. The filmmaker insisted that the movie is a must for 14 and 15-year-olds so that they get swayed by the idea of tolerance, which will ultimately benefit the country. The filmmaker was also concerned that with an adult rating, the box office revenue and TV sales would be affected. Though the chairperson was okay with U/A, others insisted on an 'A' rating.

And that's not all. The chairperson of the CBFC, an actress, referred Zakhm to the Maharashtra state home department for clearance after going through its synopsis. Suketu Mehta doesn't mention but in late 1998, Asha Parekh headed the CBFC.

Suketu Mehta was also present at the meeting with the chief secretary of Maharashtra, P Subrahmanyam. Along with Tanuja Chandra and Mahesh Bhatt, daughter Pooja, one of the actors in Zakhm, also attended the meeting. The writer mentioned that she was present to add star value.

P Subrahmanyam, however, wasn't impressed. He reminded Mahesh Bhatt that even Mani Ratnam's Bombay (1995), based on the riots, was stuck and it was released after Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray cleared it. Mahesh was not comfortable with the idea. Subrahmanyam suggested that he should go to the tribunal but that can happen only if CBFC gives in writing that they don't want to release the film, which the censor chairperson won't.

Mahesh Bhatt and Tanuja Chandra tried to explain that though Zakhm was based on the riots, the scenes of rioting were not shown in the film. Yet, P Subrahmanyam made it clear that Zakhm would remain in the cans and get banned and would never see the light of day if it showed the truth and took a position against the Hindus. Mahesh Bhatt replied that he'll show Zakhm to the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had admired his work. Subrahmanyam laughed and assured that this effort would prove futile.

Suketu Mehta revealed that Mahesh Bhatt continued to struggle, even during Diwali, to get a certificate for Zakhm. The film was screened for government officials, including the Mumbai Police Commissioner. The latter had reservations about the negative portrayal of the police.

With no other option, Mahesh Bhatt gave in, wrote Suketu Mehta. He cut some scenes and also reshot a few sequences. The saffron headbands worn by rioters were replaced by black ones. The scene where 'a Muslim character is pointing out his frustrations' was deemed 'unnecessary' and deleted. Also, a fake encounter sequence and a real-life speech of a politician were axed.

Even after all these changes were made, Zakhm was awarded an 'A' certificate, on December 15, 1998. The film was released on Christmas, December 25. It earned just Rs. 4.21 crores and was a box-office flop. Interestingly, though the government gave Zakhm a tough time, they also awarded this movie with the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration at the National Awards.

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