Bollywood Film on Castes Banned in India

3 states bar movie, worried it could infuriate lower castes
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 12, 2011 1:17 PM CDT
Bollywood Film on Castes Banned in India
A billboard for the Bollywood film "Aarakshan," or "Reservation" adorns a cinema in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011.   (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

Three Indian states have banned a new Bollywood film that addresses the caste system. The film has already sparked the anger of lower caste groups, who say it fuels prejudice, the AP reports. The lower caste groups, called Dalits, make up about a quarter of India’s population. The film, called Aarakshan, or “Reservation,” addresses quotas ("reservations') for caste members in education and government, the Times of India reports.

Director Prakash Jha plans to edit out some of the controversial sections as he heads to the Supreme Court to call for an end to the state bans. “We have agreed to make minor changes following objections. There are certain dialogues and scenes that have been edited,” he said. (More Bollywood stories.)

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