Doordarshan Shelves TV Show On Gandhi’s Assassination

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Doordarshan Shelves TV Show On Gandhi’s Assassination
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After the Narendra Modi interview fiasco, Doordarshan has decided to back out from telecasting a docu-drama on Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination as the Prasar Bharati board expressed concerns that “it is likely to be inflammatory in nature.” The programme was to depict Nathuram Godse's trial.

The 52-episode serial was withdrawn by director-producer duo Ketan Mehta and Deepa Sahi, owing to time constraints. The Prasar Bharati board felt that focusing the programme only on Gandhi's assassination was not a "very good idea.” The Prasar Bharati board had discussed this in its January meeting.

Recently, Prasar Bharati was heavily criticised for editing Narendra Modi’s remarks on Priyanka Gandhi and Ahmed Patel from an interview. Doordarshan had, however, defended itself, saying there was no “deliberate attempt at editing.”

On the Gandhi serial, the board observed, "Considering that the subject matter spans a relatively short period in the life of Mahatma Gandhi, the proposed number of episodes (52) appears to be on the higher side and could be judiciously pruned. Since the material on the trial of Nathuram Godse is likely to be inflammatory in nature, focusing the programme on the trial is avoidable... It was felt that the theme of the proposed programme could be woven around the various events that happened during the last days of Mahatma Gandhi, including Independence, Partition, the Noakhali tragedy, etc."

The board also recommended setting up a committee, including DD director general Tripurari Sharan and part-time board members Muzaffar Ali and Prema Cariappa. "The committee may co-opt any other subject expert, if so required. The committee may also like to interact with Ketan Mehta on the matter while arriving at the final decision," the minutes of the meeting stated.
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"There were certain concerns raised by the board. But the proposal was withdrawn by Ketan Mehta, citing his inability to take it further. He later told me he thought the subject may have a better prospect as a film," said Sharan.

Maya Movies’ co-founder Deepa Sahi said, "We have withdrawn from the project for the time being due to time constraints and informed DD."

Godse was executed following a year-long trial. Recently, a play called Mee Nathuram Godse Boltoy was also banned to avoid controversy.
Image Courtesy: Thinkstock