Did you know? CBFC asked Salman Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan makers to cut Om Puri's line ‘Jai Shri Ram’

L-Kabir Khan; R- Still from Bajrangi Bhaijaan

The Kabir Khan-directed Bajrangi Bhaijaan completes 10 years today. The film, which starred Salman Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Kareena Kapoor, and child actress Harshaali Malhotra, was a superhit at the box office. The story of cross-border kindness struck a chord with audiences. As the film reached this milestone, filmmaker Kabir Khan revealed how the CBFC had once asked him to make a major edit.

In the film, Om Puri made a special appearance as a Maulvi from Pakistan. His character appears at a crucial point in the film and preaches humanity over religious and national, man-made boundaries. In one of the scenes, during an interaction with Salman Khan's character, Om Puri says, "Thoda sa humare paas bhi hai Kashmir."

CBFC asked to edit religious chant from Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Speaking to The Indian Express, Kabir was asked if that line caused any controversy back then. "No, I wasn't thinking too much back then," he said.

He added, "I just followed my heart. But you're right, today, people judge a film before watching it. Back then, not one person said the film was offensive. Although, there was one line the censors wanted me to cut when Om Puri says ‘Jai Shri Ram' to Salman as he's seeing them off."

The filmmaker continued, "They thought it might upset people, especially the Muslim population. But I fought for it. I remember watching the film at Gaiety Galaxy, one of the most quintessential single-screen experiences in Mumbai. The theatre, packed with Muslim blue-collar workers from Bandra, erupted in cheers when that line came. It was the clearest sign that everyone who doubted it was wrong. You could see how deeply the moment landed with them."

Kabir Khan on audience response

When asked if he expected people to resonate with the film so emotionally, Khan said, "Not at that level. I knew it was emotional, but I thought it'd be funnier than emotional. After the release, I visited theatres and saw people just sitting in their seats, not getting up. I realised they were trying to compose themselves. They were sobbing. That's when it hit me - this is really emotional. Even now, when I rewatch the last part, I get misty-eyed. And if I'm tearing up, then I can understand the impact it's had on audiences."