Acclaimed filmmaker Kabir Khan — celebrated for cinematic hits like 83, Ek Tha Tiger, and the recently released Chandu Champion — revisited one of the defining films of his career, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, starring Salman Khan.
The 2015 blockbuster followed the journey of Pavan, a devout Indian Hindu man, who undertakes a perilous mission to reunite a lost mute Pakistani girl with her family across the border.
Along the way, Pavan’s worldview evolves as he encounters people from different faiths and nationalities, eventually embracing what Kabir calls “the religion of humanity.”
When asked whether such a film could be made in today’s politically charged climate, Kabir admitted that while the general public usually understands a story’s deeper message, challenges often arise from “self-appointed custodians” of societal sentiment — including official bodies like the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
These “gatekeepers,” he explained, sometimes anticipate controversies that never actually occur.
The Scene the Censors Wanted Cut
Kabir shared an anecdote about one particular scene involving veteran actor Om Puri, who plays a kind-hearted Pakistani religious leader.
In the scene, set in Pakistan, Om Puri’s character waves goodbye to Salman Khan’s Bajrangi, who hesitates before saying “Khuda Hafiz.”
Sensing this, Om Puri asks, “Aap logon mein kya kehte hain? Jai Shri Ram na?” (“What do you people say? Jai Shri Ram, right?”) Without hesitation, he then says, “Jai Shri Ram.”
According to Kabir, the CBFC wanted the line removed, fearing it could offend Muslim audiences. Kabir was baffled by the reasoning.
“I asked them why, and they said Muslims might take it the wrong way. I told them, ‘Sir, what’s my name? I’m a Muslim, and I have no issue with it whatsoever,” he recalled with a smile.
Growing Up in a Different Time
Kabir explained that for him, the phrase “Jai Shri Ram” was never about political ideology. Growing up in Delhi, he often heard it used simply as a greeting. “I’ve spent time in Old Delhi where ‘Jai Shri Ram’ was as casual as saying ‘hello’ or ‘goodbye.’ It wasn’t politicised — it was cultural, warm, and inclusive,” he said.
Determined to preserve the authenticity of the scene, Kabir fought to keep the line intact. “Why would people feel bad about this? At its core, it’s a gesture of goodness. I believed it would resonate, and I refused to take it out.”
Audience Response That Proved Him Right
Kabir recalled watching the film on opening day — coincidentally during Eid — in a theatre filled with blue-collar Muslim workers. When the “Jai Shri Ram” moment appeared on screen, the audience erupted in cheers.
“I still get goosebumps thinking about it,” Kabir said. “The very people the censors thought might dislike it embraced it wholeheartedly. This just proved my belief — it’s often the gatekeepers who set limits, not the people themselves. The audience saw the goodness and unity in that moment, not politics.”
For Kabir, the lasting success of Bajrangi Bhaijaan remains proof that authentic storytelling rooted in empathy can transcend political divides — if filmmakers stay true to their vision.
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