Film On Assassination Of Operation Bluestar's General Vaidya Banned

The Mastermind Jinda Sukha, the film that glorifies the two militant assassins of Army Chief General A S Vaidya, finds itself in the eye of the storm.

In July, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had cleared the film and it was all set to hit the screens on September 11. The film lauds the Khalistan Commando Force militants Harjinder Singh (Jinda) and Sukhdev Singh (Sukha), who gunned down General Vaidya in 1986 for his role in leading Operation Blue Star. 

Operation Blue Star was an Indian military operation which occurred between 3 June and 8 June 1984, ordered by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in order to establish control] over the Harmandir Sahib Complex in Amritsar and remove Jarnail singh Bhindranwale and his armed followers from the complex buildings. Bhindranwale had earlier taken residence in Harmandir Sahib and made it his headquarters in April 1980



The film in question has been directed by Sukhjinder Singh and produced by Australia-based Singh Brothers.

However, following a directive from the I&B Ministry, the Censor Board was asked to reconsider its decision earlier this week.

The decision was taken under Rule 32 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 that empowers the government to have a certified film re-examined.

Now, the latest on the front is that the movie has been deemed unfit for viewing. A repeat screening was held at NFDC (Worli) in Mumbai yesterday evening with Censor Board Chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani presiding over it.

This afternoon, Pehlaj revoked the certificate. The I&B Ministry has been duly informed. 



Confirming the news, Pahlaj said, "Given the controversial content of the film, we were worried that it might cause a law and order problem. The film's certificate has been revoked as per Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952."

Says a source, "The makers of The Mastermind Jinda Sukha will now have to approach the FCAT (Film Certification Appellate Tribunal). If they fail to convince FCAT, then can always go to court."