A Film on Mahabharat

Sub: Maha Problems for a ‘Mahabharat’ Film

I have been wondering why, while many great classics could make their way to celluloid with a big bang, our great epic, Mahabharat, could not find an honourable place among them. Recently, my friend Raj , a film producer and director in his own right, told me how his attempts to make a film on this great work was thwarted by an incorrigible bureaucracy , who wanted many impossible changes to be made in the script before according the requisite approval. He showed me a copy of the letter he received from the concerned authorities directing him to make major changes in the script, for their further consideration.
Needless to say that the producer decided not to waste his money on an epic modified to suit the present day needs!
I am giving the full text of the letter below.
It is for readers like you to judge
.

Sub: Approval for the script on ’ Mahabharat’.
Ref; Your letter no.nil, dated 1st April, 2009.
Sir,
I am directed to refer to your above letter seeking approval for the script to make a film on ‘Mahabharat’ based on the original story authored, according to you, by Vyasa. As copy right issues are involved, you were requested by this office letter of even no. dated 15th September,2009 to furnish this office with the original text based on which the script has been written and also the original author’s ‘no objection certificate’ for making the film. Even in spite of many reminders, you have not sent the details sought; but now, vide your recent letter no. nil dated 20th January,2010, you have informed of a practical difficulty in submitting the original text as it is scribbled on tree barks years ago and also that the author is not alive at present, neither he has any heir.
The difficulties furnished by you have been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Law and it has been decided that it would be adequate if you could furnish a photocopiy of the original, duly attested by a Gazetted Officer. Hence immediate action may be taken to submit the same.
It is also to request you to make the following changes/modifications etc. in the script as advised by the concerned Ministries /Departments/ Organisations / NGOs, etc. and resubmit the revised script.
In the script submitted, it is detailed that there are 101 children (called Kauravas) born to one Gandhari and 5 children (Pandavas) born to Kunthi. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken objection to such a depiction since this would send a wrong message to the public, particularly in view of the government spending millions for promoting family planning. Hence the numbers could be reduced to, say, three for Kauravas and one for Pandavas, to meet the basic needs of the story.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has observed that the process of birth shown for Kaurava siblings is suggestive of a type of human cloning, a technology banned in India. Hence this episode be modified to show a normal delivery. However, the artificial insemination process shown for the birth of Pandava kids is a legally permitted method and hence, is acceptable.
The National Commission for Women has objected to the part where the father of Pandavas, Sri Pandu, is practising bigamy; similarly,the Pandavas are shown sharing one wife, Draupathy. These characterisations are not acceptable and need to be changed. However, if the number of Pandavas, is reduced to one, there would not be any objection about Draupathy’s portrayal as the wife of that Pandava.
A Capital city called Indraprastha is being shown as under construction, after putting an entire forest to flames. This depiction justifying construction by clearing forests has been objected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and hence needs to be suitably modified.
Also, the Ministry has observed that at many places the character of Krishna has been portrayed as one wearing a peacock feather. Peacock being our national bird, any such illustration with people using peacock feather to promote themselves is an offence under the Wild life Protection Act, 1972. Hence, such depiction should be avoided.
Pandavas and Kauravas are shown frequently engaged in playing the game of dice which is not legally acceptable, as it may encourage betting. However, for keeping up the tempo of the story, they could be shown as taking part in horse-racing , since that sport is not treated as gambling, according to the Ministry of Law.
The Department of Women and Child Development has pointed out that the event describing the public disrobing of Draupathy is objectionable and derogatory to women in general. Also, the Ministry of Home Affairs feels that this may create a law and order situation. Such scenes also invite penal action under the Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act. Hence this part may be deleted from the script.
The script shows that the Pandavas are working in King Virat’s employment without any salary and allowances. According to Human rights Commission, this act tantamounts to justification of bonded labour system and may attract provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. Hence it would be advisable to have a scene in the film wherein the terms and conditions of the employment are read out to these workers, indicating their salary and allowances as also pensionary benefits including family pension, etc. to show that their employment is with an ideal employer, like a government agency. Necessary corrections as suggested may be incorporated.
In the Kurukshetra war, a young boy, Abhimanyu,(age below 18), has been shown engaged in fighting. The National Labour Commission has observed that war being a hazardous industry, such an illustration is indicative of forced child labour and hence violates the provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act,1986. This episode may be deleted.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has pointed out that usage of elephants and horses in war scenes attract provisions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and hence suitable changes may be made in the script to address these objections.
It may also be portrayed suitably that those who participated in the war had valid licenses under the relevant Arms Act.
The script may be modified on the above lines and the revised script along with an attested copy of the original text may be resubmitted for our consideration.
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(Under Secretary)
(Adapted from the document -“Pensioners Mahabharatha” -by Sri V. Natarajan, a pensioner)