The Marathi film Khalid Ka Shivaji which was scheduled to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival has been pulled back owing to the controversy around it. On Friday, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said the state government acted swiftly after receiving complaints that the Marathi film spreads "falsehoods" and hurts public sentiments, and sought a re-examination of its censor certification. He also said the movie, facing opposition from right-wing groups for allegedly distorting the legacy of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, will be removed from Cannes Film Festival listings.

Maharashtra minister writes to Union Ministry 

A few days back, Maharashtra culture secretary Kiran Kulkarni sent a letter to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting secretary, asking him to direct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to re-examine the clearance certificate issued to the film and halt its release till a decision is taken on its request. The film was supposed to hit the theatres on August 8. 

"The government immediately took action upon receiving complaints that 'Khalid Ka Shivaji' spreads misinformation and hurts sentiments. We have taken this stand in alignment with Shiv devotees and society," Shelar told reporters on Friday.