Zee Media Bureau
Mumbai: The comedy `Entertainment` starring Akshay Kumar is in soup over a character`s name in the movie. The Central Board of Film Certiffication has raised an objection to the way comedian Johnny Lever`s character`s name has been mispronounced in the forthcoming film `Entertainment`.
The Censor board has asked the filmmakers to change it. The board viewed the movie late last week
A source said, "Lever`s character is named Abdullah, which is a very sacred name. Throughout the film other characters keep mispronouncing Abdullah`s name, calling him all sorts of things like `arashogollah` and `amashallah`.
"The CBFC has asked the film`s producers and co-directors Sajid-Farhad to change Johnny Lever`s character`s name to avoid hurting anyone`s sentiments."
While the jokes on Johnny`s name remain, he is no longer called `Abdullah` but `Habibullah` in the movie.
The fimmakers had to make the changes overnight, as the movie is scheduled to release on August 8.
"It was a lot of hard work since Johnny`s character is there throughout the film and the jokes on his name occur all through. But there was no option. We can`t afford to take risks of hurting religious sentiments."
"In fact, the CBFC has also ordered the removal of a shot showing Akshay Kumar throwing a `trishul` (trident) across the screen. The CBFC doesn`t want any Hindu organization to ask why the trishul is being used as a weapon," said the source.
The board also objected the use of `HIV` as a joke. The part has also been removed.
(With Agency Inputs)