Toilet scene in Sanjay Dutt biopic trailer sparks off debate

The trailer of the Sanjay Dutt biopic, starring Ranbir Kapoor, has become a talking point for several reasons, among which is a toilet scene that has ruffled some feathers. The scene shows the protagonist inside a jail cell, which is flooded with sewage from an overflowing toilet. The footage has reportedly prompted prison activist Prithvi Mhaske to file a complaint with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for showcasing prisons in a negative light.

Mhaske reportedly wrote in the letter that, “As per the information available, the government and jail authorities are taking good care of all the barracks of the jails. We have never heard of any such incidents...” The issue has sparked off a ebate, with prison eformists agreeing with Mhaske’s objection, and film experts arguing in favour of the film’s makers. Vartika Nanda, a prison reformist, says, There is no dedicated quad to clean prisons, and e inmates have to clean eir cells themselves. But he toilet leakage scene is an extreme case.”

During his incarceration, Dutt spent some time in the high-security anda cell (eggshaped cell) in Mumbai’s Arthur Jail. Later, he was shifted to Yerawada Jail in Pune.

Monica Dhawan who works for the welfare of prisoners, says the film exaggerates the condition. “If it is Yerawada, the scene depicts something impossible. The prison cells are visited by session court judges, human right activists, and lawyers, too.”

Filmmakers and experts have come out strongly in defence of the film. Trade expert Amul Vikas Mohan says, “Things are always shown in films in a way to dramatise and add shock value. People opposing this particular scene clearly don’t have any sense of creative freedom and only know how to get offended. Makers of the film would have done their research well.”

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta says, “The complaint is a reflection of the complainant’s mind, which is full of s***. Ignore such people and don’t give them importance.” CBFC board member Vani Tripathi Tikoo, meanwhile, says she has read about the letter online, and that the board will “take a call only after seeing the full film.” “A trailer of few minutes can’t be a deciding factor,” she adds.

The toilet leakage scene is an extreme case. The makers are trying to show prisons in a negative light.

VARTIKA NANDA, PRISON REFORMIST The complaint is a reflection of the complainant’s mind, which is full of s**t. Ignore such people.

HANSAL MEHTA , FILMMAKER

The scene from the trailer of the Sanjay Dutt biopic