Film triggers controversy by using 'aicha gho' in title

After Jhenda, it is Shikshanachya Aicha Gho. Education minister Balasaheb Thorat has objected to the film’s title, which loosely translates as ‘damn the education system’.

A  social-political outfit, Maratha Mahasangh, has backed Thorat, saying that the title of the film, set to be released on January 15, is abusive. It has threatened to stall screenings of the film unless the title is changed.

On Sunday, Thorat said, “The film’s title is not fit for a civilised and cultured society. I agree that it is the censor board’s right to approve a film’s title. I am not insisting on any kind of political censorship, but I personally think the title is vulgar.”.

Maratha Mahasangh president Shashikant Pawar said,”The title is abusive, and will have an adverse effect on children. We won’t allow its released unless it is renamed. If the producers dare to release it with the existing title, they will face fiery protests.”

Mahesh Manjrekar, producer and director of the film, refuted the charges. “The film talks about the ill-effects of the education system that dates back to the British era. Students are committing suicide after failing in examinations. I want to show the current education system is not good for them. There is a desperate need to abuse the system… So I used the words aicha gho in the title,” he said.

He added he was happy to know that Thorat had not liked the film’s title. “If he does not like it, he should work towards changing the system,” Manjrekar, a close friend of chief minister Ashok Chavan, said.

Home minister RR Patil said, “If anyone has any  complaint about a film, he should approach to the censor board.”

Recently, the release of Jhenda got deferred after revenue minister Narayan Rane’s son, Nitesh, took objection to the character of a corrupt politician, which allegedly tried to sully Rane’s image.