Item number in 'Joker' raises activist's heckles

Hindi movie "Joker", scheduled for release Aug 31, could face legal hurdles over a raunchy item number that allegedly insults patriotic sentiments, an activist said here Thursday.

A legal notice has been served on the Central Board of Film Certification demanding deletion of the item number.

The song has "caused an intolerable insult to our first warrior of independence, Rani Laxmibai, famous as Jhansi ki Rani," said Rajkumar Tak, the Maharashtra director of International Human Rights Association.

"The song, 'Kaafirana', carries offensive words and utters the name of the great warrior princess Jhansi Ki Rani in a derogatory manner. We want the producer, Shirish Kunder, to delete the item number or Rani Laxmibai's name must be deleted from that song," lawyer S. Kunjuraman told IANS.

"Joker" stars Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead role, and the controversial item number has been picturised on Chitrangada Singh.

The lyrics sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Adarsh Shinde feature words like "bevdi, bawaal, kaafirana, paapi ye ang hai, saali kalank hai, fultoo dabangg hai, kholeye ab, do peg, baby I just want you, Jhansi Ki Rani," Kunjuraman pointed out.

Tak said that the pre-release video of the song shows a "vulgar item girl gyrating like a drunkard" and revolving a long stick symbolizing the sword of Rani Laxmibai.

Kunjuraman warned that unless the producers complied, they would be compelled to move the Bombay High Court and seek appropriate relief.