Can you imagine director Rohit Shetty, whose movies like Singham and Singham Returns, mainly focus on removing the bribery and corruption from the country, and to remove all the evilness from the society, can really bribe someone?
It might shock you but yes, Shetty has been accused of bribing a former Censor Board chief to get a censor certificate for his hit film, ‘Singham Returns’, which stars Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead roles.
The director allegedly offered Rs. 2 lakh to ex-Censor Board Head Rakesh Kumar, who apparently forced two members of the committee to sign on blank forms. According to latest reports, CBI still has to file a case against him.
“Shetty was desperate to get the CC as the film was scheduled to be released in UAE on August 14. After Kumar received the bribe amount, he issued the CC on August 8. Based on this evidence, we sent a report to register a case against the producer and Kumar as there was enough material,” a CBI official said.
“These forms are required to be filled by the members, suggesting their opinions on various aspects on the point of censorship and submitted in a sealed envelope. Instead, Kumar coaxed the two members to sign blank forms. We are probing the case and the investigation is underway,” the official added.
An official agent of the production house, Kishan Palli, also confirmed his statement to the CBI.
“Kumar repeatedly told Shetty that since the movie was hurting certain religious sentiments, he was under tremendous pressure from the ministry. He suggested certain cuts in a song which was shot in the backdrop of a famous ‘dargah’ in Mumbai. He also suggested changes to a few dialogues but Shetty insisted that all the cuts should not be enforced. Kumar was paid over Rs 2 lakh to get the CC,” Palli said.
Just for information, earlier, Rakesh Kumar was arrested for allegedly demanding Rs. 70,000 for giving a clearance to a regional film, Mor Dauki Ke Bihav in 2014, although he is currently out on bail.
If this controversy proves out to be true, Rohit might land into a major trouble, for taking the laws for granted.
On the other hand, Rohit is currently busy with his upcoming movie ‘Dilwale’, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon in the lead roles.
‘Dilwale’ is slated for release on December 18 this year.