By Hindustan Times
'Bade pet wala Ganpati…,’ ‘Bodybuilder Hanuman…’ and ‘Tigerwali (Sherawali Maa)…’ That’s how Paresh Rawal’s character describes Hindu deities within the opening minutes of the trailer of OMG! Oh My God, which also features Akshay Kumar as Lord Krishna. That’s probably what got the Censor
Board worried.
“The censors had some reservations in regards to the dialogue. That they had pre-conceived notions that OMG is against religion and Gods, which I BELIEVE is due to hearsay and media reports,” says director Umesh Shukla, who spent hours convincing the board why the film needed those lines.
“Thankfully, once I explained the film to them, they understood my viewpoint. I'M happy that they eventually passed the trailer with none cuts. I had shown them the Censor certificate that I had got for my play.”
The film is predicated on Umesh’s hit theatrical, Kishan Vs Kanhaiya, which also stars Paresh within the lead. “When we discuss bodybuilders, the primary name that involves mind is Hanumanji and never Arnold Schwarzenegger. Our intention was not demeaning at all.”
They board finally congratulated Umesh at the ‘enlightening’ trailer. “I am sure they'll love the film,” he says, confident. OMG revolves around an antique store owner called Kanjibhai (Rawal), who moves court against God. It releases on September 28.
