Hindu Mahasabha Demands Ban on ‘Khalid Ka Shivaji’, Sends Legal Notice to Censor Board
Pune, 5th August 2025: The Hindu Mahasabha has raised strong objections against the upcoming Marathi film ‘Khalid Ka Shivaji’, which is scheduled for release on August 8, and has issued a legal notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), demanding a ban on the film.
Speaking to the media, Hindu Mahasabha President Anand Dave claimed that the film distorts the historical legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and promotes false narratives. He stated that the film would not be allowed to be screened in any theatre in Pune until their concerns are addressed.
“The title itself is objectionable,” said Dave. “The trailer claims that 35% of Shivaji Maharaj’s army was Muslim, 18 of his bodyguards were Muslims, and that mosques were built on forts. These assertions misrepresent historical facts and attempt to promote a distorted version of Shivaji Maharaj’s life.”
He further warned that if the film is released, Hindu Mahasabha members will protest by entering theatres and conducting awareness lectures about historical events like the Afzal Khan encounter. Dave said that such portrayals are aimed at projecting Shivaji Maharaj as a secular figure in a way that he claims goes against historical accuracy.
Apart from the legal notice to the Censor Board, the Hindu Mahasabha has also written to the Union Home Minister and the Pune Police Commissioner, demanding immediate intervention. The organisation warned that if the film is released despite their opposition, the responsibility for any consequences will rest with the Censor Board.
‘Khalid Ka Shivaji’ has already sparked controversy on social media, with debates around its historical representation and intent. Neither the film’s producers nor the CBFC has officially responded to the notice at the time of filing this report.
