The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has recently directed the makers of the Akshay Kumar-starrer “Khel Khel Mein” to eliminate two expletives from the movie. However, it remains unclear whether these expletives have been deleted, muted, or replaced with alternative dialogue.
In the past few weeks, while John Abraham’s “Vedaa” encountered no hurdles in securing clearance from the CBFC, other films scheduled for August 15 releases have had varied experiences. The much-anticipated release “Stree 2,” featuring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, managed to secure a U/A certificate from the CBFC without substantial issues. The Examining Committee (EC) did recommend minor tweaks—a reference to certain celebrities and a national monument was muted in the final version. The horror-comedy, with a runtime of two hours and 29 minutes, is expected to captivate audiences.
In contrast, the CBFC has specifically targeted “Khel Khel Mein” for its usage of offensive language. The Akshay Kumar-led comedic drama, also featuring Fardeen Khan, Vaani Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu, Ammy Virk, Pragya Jaiswal, and Aditya Seal, has been granted a U/A rating as well, but only under the condition that the aforementioned cuss words are removed. Directed by Mudassar Aziz, the film spans two hours and 14 minutes and is eagerly anticipated by fans.
In another development, Ali Fazal’s recent photos with Hollywood luminaries Baz Luhrmann, Blake Lively, and Hugh Jackman have been causing a stir on social media. Speculation about a covert project in Los Angeles gained momentum when the “Mirzapur” actor elucidated the context of the images on his social media platform. He posted, “Yes, that is me all secretly dressed up as royalty, crashing Baz Luhrmann’s Hitchcockian Whodunnit Casino scene. And for the rest of this beautiful ensemble piece, what can I say? Anything for Baz Luhrmann [sic].”
Fazal, who was involved in another project in LA at the time of the images, added, “This marked the third occasion Anna Wintour, for whom I hold immense gratitude, has featured me in my American Vogue outing. The scene took only one shot to complete, and the best part about Baz’s involvement was his cinematic approach to the setting. Therefore, a fragment of my dream of working with him has materialized, though not entirely fulfilled.” Signing off his note with heartfelt thanks, Fazal mentioned, “And Blake Lively, you’re a rockstar.
. I do hope our paths cross again in good time. Mr Hugh Jackman—Aye aye. I want to thank Michael Philouze for putting up with my suggestions on styling.”
Meanwhile, John Abraham has publicly voiced his discontent with peers who endorse surrogate advertising for products such as paan masalas. Speaking on a podcast, he equated such endorsements to “selling death.” His comments underline a significant contradiction between the health-centric image often portrayed by actors and their commercial endorsements. “People talk about fitness, and the same people endorse paan masala. I love all my actor friends, and I’m not disrespecting any of them. I am talking about myself. I will not sell death, because it’s a matter of principle,” John remarked, signaling his firm stance on the matter.
In the realm of upcoming projects, it has come to light that Triptii Dimri, despite being overlooked for Aanand L Rai’s “Tere Ishq Mein” with Dhanush, is currently in discussions to portray the iconic Parveen Babi in an upcoming biopic. While the production details and full cast list remain tightly under wraps, the buzz surrounding this biopic has been substantial. Known for her strong and independent persona in a predominantly male industry, Parveen Babi’s life was also fraught with challenges, notably her battle with mental health which eventually led to her seclusion from the public eye. This biopic, if realized, is poised to be a landmark in Triptii’s career, providing a deep, insightful look into the life of one of Bollywood’s most enigmatic figures.
The next few months promise to be eventful for Bollywood enthusiasts, with significant releases, potential new collaborations, and controversial stances on endorsement ethics all stirring up conversation and anticipation. With the CBFC mandating changes and actors taking principled stands, the industry continues to evolve, blending creativity with conscientious reflection.
