Censor Board and Salman Khan’s production house get notice from Gujarat HC over 'Loveyatri'

By Vandana Srivastawa

on September 21, 2018

The troubles are never ending for Aayush Sharma's debut film - Loveyatri (earlier titled as Loveratri). A division bench of the Gujarat High Court has issued notices to the state, the Central Board of Film Certification (Censor Board), and the Salman Khan’s production house (Salman Khan Films Production) with regards to a PIL that challenged the earlier name of the film Loveratri on the grounds that it hurt the sentiments of the Hindus and are derogatory to women.

Apparently, the court also orally asked the council for Salman Khan Productions to see if it was possible to explore the possibility of change in name of the movie. Further hearing in the case will be held on September 27. Salil Thakore, the counsel for the production house also produced the certificate provided by the Censor Board for the trailer of the film. The producers after agitation from religious groups and after a PIL had changed the name of the film from Loveratri to Loveyatri. The counsel argued that the trailer was cleared by the Censor Board and the name of the film was as per the guidelines for titles.

The Sanatan Foundation had issued their displeasure over the new name and filed a PIL in the court. BB Agarwal, its counsel said that despite the name change from Loveratri to Loveyatri, it had the tagline a journey of love. He said, “The promos hurt the sentiments of the Hindus because it depicts that Garba is all about love when in fact the nine nights of Garba is all about devotion to Goddess Durga.” He said that the film’s agenda is nothing but a blatant and insensitive attempt to encash on Navratri.

Thakore, the counsel for Salman Khan productions, said, “The intention is not to hurt anyone’s sentiments. The trailer is not to run down the festival and nowhere does it promote or say anything about licentious behaviour.” He also cited an SC order which states that film certifications and clearances were best left to experts. He also clarified that the film was about love blossoming between two young people when they meet during the festival of Navratri.