'A Group Of People In The Film Industry Is Conspiring Against Me' : Govinda Reacts To CBFC's Decision On 'Rangeela Raja'

Bollywood actor Govinda, who is currently prepping to release his upcoming film 'Rangeela Raja', accused some of his fellow film industry people of not letting his film release. The actor held a press meet on Saturday, November 11, and alleged that a group of Bollywood personalities are conspiring against him and his films for years now. 

"This has been happening for the last nine years where a group of people in the film industry is conspiring against me and not letting my films release on any good platform," PTI quoted Govinda saying. 

"Either my films are not getting a release or they are not getting a good number of theaters or screens. The recent example was 'Fryday' which released a few weeks ago and media gave it a good review. They took the film away from theatres," the actor further stated, however, he refused to take any names. 

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This came after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reportedly refused to certify the film 'Rangeela Raja' that was initially staled to release on November 16 this year and ordered 20 cuts. The film is produced by former CBFC chief and filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani.

The 'Ilzaam' star further stated that the none of the Bollywood celebrities extended support to the actor and moreover, Nihalani is questioned for supporting him.  

"Our film industry was never like this and it seems we are living in a different world. If someone would have supported me then I would have not faced problems. Today no one is supporting me. I don't have financiers or producers backing me. When he (Nihalani) is supporting me, he has been told, why are you working with Govinda," PTI quoted the 54-year-old actor as saying. 

Meanwhile, talking about the CBFC cuts, Nihalani claims that his film 'Rangeela Raja' is a clean family drama, and he is not able to figure out why so many cuts are suggested by the organisation. 

PTI quoted him as saying, "I had applied for U/A certificate and I got that. 'A' certificate is given in case the content has elements of horror, vulgarity, obscenity and violence. In our film there is no kiss on the cheeks also. It is an entertaining film,"  

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"Producers have to wait in some cases longer to get the certificate and this not only results in a delay in releasing the film but producers also face financial losses. The ministry should do something," he added.

As per media reports, the filmmaker further stated that he feels that the current CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi is not sincere and should be sacked. In a statement, as reported by PTI, he said,  "He did watch Aamir Khan's 'Thugs Of Hindostan' but did not watch my film. Later he watched and gave a list of unnecessary cuts without any reference of the guideline from the rulebook. He should be sacked and I do not know why the whole film industry is silent. He does not go to the office, he calls producers at the Taj hotel and makes them wait for four hours to give the certificate for their films."

The makers of the film have moved the Bombay High Court to seek justice against the decision of CBFC. Lawyer Ashok Saraogi, who was also present at the press conference, said the team chose to show the 20 cuts given by CBFC to the media to get their views on the matter. The hearing is on Monday.

(With inputs from PTI)