Curiously it's not just Joshi who is being targeted by the Samajwadi Party for the title Azaan which according a section of the political party, is a sacred word meaning the Holy Prayers and cannot be used in a populist format.
With Samjawadi members apparently threatening theatre owners across Mumbai against screening the film, the controversy got a curious twist in its tale when it came to light that earlier this week Samajwadi members stormed the CBFC (Censor Board Of Film Certifications)'s CEO Pankaja Thakur's office demanding to know why a film with such a sacred title was given an ‘A' certificate.
Hard as this seems to believe, Pankaja Thakur confirmed the incident. "Yes, the Samajwadi members met me in my office on October 10 and voiced their concern.
They were not happy about a film called Azaan getting an ‘A' certificate. I had to explain to them that the film deals with the subject of terrorism and contains scenes of violence. Which is why we had to give the film an A certificate. "
Apparently the Samajwadi members who paid Pankaja Thakur a visit also wanted to know why the film's leading man was named Azaan.
Explains Pankaja, "I explained to them that Azaan is extremely positive character. "
The film's leading man Sachiin Joshi seems pretty dazed by the turn of events. "They saw we're insulting the word ‘aazaan' which is their sacred prayer call. They want me to change the name. Aazaan is a beautiful name.
That's what my character is called. I understand the gravity and importance of the name and my character is portrayed as a hero in the true sense. I don't see what the Samajwadi members are objecting to. They've warned the single theatres against screening my film.
I don't understand how these protests start without anyone seeing a single frame of the supposedly offensive film. "