Manmarziyaan row: Scenes cut after objection from Sikhs; Taapsee reactions are epic
Mumbai: ‘Manmarziyaan’ producers have deleted three scenes from the film after members of the Sikh community objected to a scene where Abhishek Bachchan's character is shown smoking.
The producers approached the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) regarding the deletion of the scenes.
According to a censor copy, the three deleted scenes include a 29-second smoking sequence of Abhishek, a minute-long scene featuring Taapsee Pannu and Abhishek entering a gurudwara and an 11-second scene where Taapsee is shown smoking.
"We have removed the three scenes from the film as people's sentiments were getting hurt. The said changes have come into effect in metros from today and will reflect across India from the coming Thursday-Friday," a source from the production side told PTI.
Director Anurag Kashyap also addressed the controversy, saying there was never an intention to cause any hurt to the community, but the matter should not be politicised unnecessarily.
He said utmost care was taken while shooting the scenes, and they took guidance from the community to avoid misrepresentation.
"We asked for guidance from Sikh people for the film. When we shot the sequence in Gurudwara, we were told we can't shoot them getting married as it can't be faked so me (sic) made the actors do only 'Mattha tekna,'" Anurag, who is out of the country, said in a long tweet.
"When we shot the smoking scene, it was shot on the street, and there were close to 150 people watching the shoot. We asked before doing the scene and were told that he has to take the Turban off before he smokes away from his house. We were also shown how Robbie (Abhishek) should take the turban off with both hands and how he should hand it over and how the cousin should take it.
"It was never the intention to hurt the community and why would we do that when we got so much love from them," he added.
Anurag said he was sorry if he had caused "genuine" hurt to anyone, but asked people to not make the issue "unnecessary political because it's not."
"To those whose hurt is genuine, I offer a genuine apology, that wasn't my intention. And for those who are doing it for attention, I am glad you have got the attention.
My statement on the brewing controversy.
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) September 19, 2018
Read: https://t.co/VkB0eTyNrx
Meanwhile, the lead actress, Taapsee Pannu, who is also a Sikh, went on a sarcastic spree on Twitter. Confirming the news of a new edit, she sarcastically said how it ensured that, “No Sikh will ever smoke’ and that ‘no woman will ever think about ANYONE else while getting married in a Gurudwara.” She also added that she hopes it will make ‘Waheguru’ (Almighty) proud and prove her religion as ‘purest, most righteous and peaceful.’
I am sure this edit will assure that no Sikh will ever Smoke and no woman will ever think about ANYONE else while getting married in a Gurudwara. THIS surely will make Waheguru proud and assures that MY religion is the purest,most righteous and peaceful ! #Proud ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ðŸ‘ðŸ¼
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
When a Twitter user pointed out how the outfits objected to a smoking scene by a Sardar, but did nothing about the addiction to drugs, Taapsee jibed that they will handle real-life issues when they are done editing the film.
I am sure waheguru and his army are aware of that too :) and just when they r done editing the film (and all other films) they will go ahead n handle these Real world issues too https://t.co/UUE8WINn3u
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
On Sikhs being shown drinking, she said, “Waheguru might approved of drinking but not smoking. Otherwise why will such sensible and pure n pious people protest (sic).”
I’m sure waheguru must have approved of drinking but not smoking. Otherwise why will such sensible and pure n pious people protest. https://t.co/1ZU8MvcMf0
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
She also slammed the protestors saying protesting against films, scenes, smoking and thinking were ‘bigger issues’ and not other issues like drug addiction in the state.
Arre arre let them first wind up the protest against films n scenes n smoking n thinking. These are bigger issues. Baaki sab baad mein dekh lenge. Bohot time hai uske liye. https://t.co/1qIftuO07h
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
The actress also brought to light how the pre-marital relationship shown in the film was also against ‘pure and righteous religion’
But y only that sir ? There is a pre marital relationship shown in the film m sure that’s also against a pure and righteous religion. I think u should protest against that as well. https://t.co/Z5a3shAAbV
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
When one of the users spoke about protesting against cutting of hair by Sikhs, she continued her tirade saying then fresh protests were needed, after which they should blur out their hair. Considering her red streaks in the film, she wondered how will she be called ‘laal pari’ anymore.
Oh shit ! All 3 of us have cut our hair 🙈 now we have to protest again! Please blur out our hair in the film. It might hurt my religion’s sentiments. 😞 now how will I be called “laal pari” 😢 https://t.co/CAD5wq1CgX
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
When a concerned fan felt she was inviting more trouble to the film with her menacing tweets, she replied it was because films are reduced to only social messages and religious acceptance and not for conveying a story or for entertainment.
Because movies are meant PURELY for social messages and religious acceptance. Not for conveying a story n not for Entertainment purpose FOR SURE ! https://t.co/5oyTDVQF25
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
And there were many more to follow, check out:
Arre arre please don’t be furious. It’s against religious teachings to be furious , they will protest against your channel as well. https://t.co/uGVcLdkBdz
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Only if u r sure people will not protest when we get married in a gurudwara and I might be thinking about my past at a given moment. https://t.co/zw3QaFqOga
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Uffo ab toh there will be a protest to remove that singh from your name. You have totally disgraced the entire Sikh community by enjoying a film where characters CHOSE to lead a certain life without taking approvals from leaders of certain sort. Tch tch. So sad https://t.co/bDC0s0n2I1
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Should I add this day in my list of yearly holidays then ????? https://t.co/DJAeq3Tz3H
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Ohooooo! Thank u so much for introducing me to the new rule that u aren’t allowed to get married into a gurudwara after u have smoked a night before. Now I shall keep that in mind when I get married. ðŸ™ðŸ¼ https://t.co/e0Qt06I7xW
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
#Protest I want full drug test outside the gurudwara https://t.co/MW9o49OxtF
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Arre arre ! How dare they ! Can we please send the protest army to them ? I am ready to find their tickets https://t.co/cLM5wgQFlC
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Ofcourse we can’t Coz films have no connection to reality. Especially @anuragkashyap72 films. He only makes science fiction and super natural movies where we show a hypothetical world. How dare he show reality on screen. He should be punished for that ! https://t.co/Tvv0QKOQSk
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Sir will u protest for that also? Just like how u will decide what a bride thinks in her head in a gurudwara, I think it’s perfectly fine for u to tell me what should be my tone on twitter. Any other rules of living m missing out on ? https://t.co/nxDaaDxMve
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Thank god u r watching now ! Else we would’ve hurt your religious sentiments . https://t.co/Se9F6myle0
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Main toh kehti hu yeh poori film hi ban kardo ! Yeh @anuragkashyap72 kitni hurtful picture banaata hai ! https://t.co/DM3y3nksu9
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Correct ! Phew ! Finally we are becoming better human beings 😠https://t.co/nffdHU3eop
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
U and I will join the same school to study about our religion again because clearly we have got it all wrong. https://t.co/6AYcGLuVMc
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Sirji kindly tell me where n when do u give certificate of Sikhism . I shall come n apply for that once I have gone n studied our religion YOUR way. https://t.co/ayCQnVslez
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Sorry that is not allowed in my religion. Can’t date before marriage. Take permission from the religious army before u even THINK of such a thing Coz apparently there is a check on that too 🤠https://t.co/uEnEEW5uT1
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Sir aapne question mark galat lagaaye hai. I think full stop lagaana tha wahan. Correct karke dubaara tweet Karo.
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
And you’re welcome :) https://t.co/b00pdWrw0Q
Sir I think now that their protest against us is over they are headed to those singers only. I mean I assume so. Since we all are such a big threat to our religion. #LongLiveProtestArmy https://t.co/Gz2YtZTf3v
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
U r giving me a tough competition 😠https://t.co/1v5wqHwNnf
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Attention everyone ! We have finally found the person who knows who is a true Sikh n who isn’t! Yay! ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ðŸ‘🼠and the bonus is he seems to know what @anuragkashyap72 should make n what not! Are u Thanos ???? https://t.co/YLe0kTVcnx
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Chalo good. Scroll through my timeline n u will know where to collect the certificate. U have passed ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ðŸ‘🼠https://t.co/P5MbA8I6mv
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Full feelings madam. Tell me where to go to show ? Is there a testing centre too. Coz I am really ignorant I’ve been told. https://t.co/DLEubJQksT
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Haanji saade guruji hun aes editing toh baad ainne khush honnge ki siddha saanu sabh nu swarg bula laenge. Main packing chaalu kar ti hai. Te tusi? https://t.co/xxEgkcBNcy
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) September 20, 2018
Anurag also hoped that the problems of Punjab solved and Sikh youth are saved by their decision and requested to contact one of the producers, Kishore Lulla, if they felt ‘threatened’ by a film next time.
Before my tweet is taken down -Congratulations . Here by all problems of Punjab are solved and Sikh youth have been saved . Happy to be back in LaLa land again. Next time you are threatened by a film please call Kishore Lulla directly on Eros knows how to solve matters in minutes pic.twitter.com/4yqU3T9utK
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) September 20, 2018
After this and the controversy surrounding 'Udta Punjab', on which he was one of the producers, we wonder if Anurag will ever base his film in the state again.