CBFC cracks down on Phillauri; asks to delete Hanuman Chalisa from the ghost s domain

A lengthy sequence showing actor Suraj Sharma reciting the Hanuman Chalisa in the bath tub in a ghost s presence has been asked to go from Anshai Lal s supernatural satire Phillauri. The CBFC apparently found the sequence incongruous since ghosts are supposed to be eradicated not pacified with the recital of the Hanuman Chalisa.

This amounted to hurting of religious sentiments, says a source from the CBFC. Says the source, The CBFC has asked for the Hanuman Chalisa to be removed from the soundtrack. All the audience will hear now is Suraj Sharma s long droning chant which would be inaudible.

The CBFC also seems to be very sympathetic to snakes. It has asked the makers of Phillauri to insult a scroll in a sequence featuring a snake to indicate no real snake has been hurt in the sequence, that it s all computer graphics.