Aamir Khan's wife Kiran Rao's directorial debut earns the ire of washerman community

Washing dirty linen in public

Aamir Khan's wife Kiran Rao's directorial debut earns the ire of washerman community

Not for the first time, a Bollywood film is in the eye ofu00a0a storm because of its 'controversial' title. Being a perfectionist, Aamir Khan wouldn't have wanted this for wife Kiran Rao's directorial debut Dhobi Ghat. However, a little publicity, positive or negative, has never hurt anyone in the film industry.

Clotheshorse: Prateik Babbar in a still from the movie 'Dhobi Ghat'

A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court claiming that the film title was an attempt to create caste divisions in the dhobi community.

Hindustan Kanojia Organisation of Dhobis Chairman Vinod Kumar Kanojia approached the court, demanding a change of title before the film's release. Kanojia also requested the censor board to review the film's title.

Apparently, the dhobi community believe that it's a mockery of their caste. "The community has been notified as scheduled caste in the constitution. The film name could have been changed. The entire community is extremely hurt by this name," Kanojia stated in his petition.

"The film name has been kept like this to get publicity but this should not be done at our expense. The film's title is violating fundamental rights of the community and it must be restrained by the court. Nobody has the right to sell the name of any caste and calling any person by such a name is a punishable offence," Kanojia said. The court is likely to hear the matter today.

The movie, premiered at the Toronto international film festival recently, impressed almost everyone. The viewers were apparently spellbound by its characters, story and director.

SPLITTING HAIRS?
Shah Rukh Khan's 'Billu Barber' faced similar protests from the barber community. The Salon and Beauty Parlours' Association in Maharashtra also demonstrated against the movie. Later, the name was changed from 'Billu Barber' to 'Billu'.