A Samajwadi Party MP in Lok Sabha tonight asked the government to delete some ‘objectionable' scenes in the film Mangal Pandey saying they had hurt the sentiments of the people as the movie was made on the life of the first martyr of Indian freedom struggle.

Raising the matter during zero hour, Ramjilal Suman said the people, especially in eastern Uttar Pradesh, were agitated over the film as it not only did not refer to the village in Ballia district where Pandey was born, but showed ‘objectionable' scenes which had no relevance to his revolutionary role.

He said the film also "depicted a distorted picture" of the personality of Pandey, who led the 1857 revolt against the British rule and demanded these scenes be deleted.

However on the commercial fron, the fall of "The Rising" may well have begun, but Aamir Khan enthusiasts who had to forgo the film in the first few days due to the steep admission rates fixed by over-excited exhibitors will now be able to catch a glimpse of the film for a pittance.

The film's producer, Bobby Bedi, has already applied for a tax-free status for the film and is expecting it to be declared tax-free in a few days.

"I have requested the government that the film be given an all-India tax-free status considering its strong content value and it should be coming through very soon," Bedi reveals.

On the other hand, Bedi is unperturbed by media reports labelling the film a "wash-out" after the initial euphoria.

"I am not concerned with the statements made by bookmakers and trade analysts against the film. The figures speak for themselves. The film has grossed a business of Rs.200 million in the first week, followed by a safe Rs.100 million in its second week run."