Archive · 29 Aug 2026
How Bal Thackeray Helped Save Khal Nayak’s Release
Khal Nayak was a popular film released in 1993.
Before it came out, many groups objected to one of its songs, “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai.”
Subhash Ghai said 32 organisations protested and wanted the film stopped.
He asked Bal Thackeray to watch the movie, and Thackeray later defended it publicly.
A court also had to decide whether the film could be released.
The court allowed the release just as the Delhi premiere was due to begin.
Sanjay Dutt’s arrest before the release made people connect him with the criminal character he played.
Ghai also received calls demanding money, but he reported them to police.
Despite all these problems, Khal Nayak became a major success.
Subhash Ghai said 32 organisations protested Khal Nayak’s song “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” and sought to stop the film’s release.
Ghai said Bal Thackeray watched the film, defended its artistic interpretation and reprimanded Shiv Sena workers opposing it.
A court allowed the film’s release at 6:30 p.m. on its premiere day while a hearing over the song was still underway.
Sanjay Dutt was arrested on April 19, 1993, months before release, creating parallels between his legal troubles and his anti-hero role.
Ghai said extortion callers targeted filmmakers and actors, but police intervention prevented the threats against him from materialising.
- Who
- Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, actor Sanjay Dutt, Bal Thackeray, protesting organisations and the courts were central to the account.
- What
- Khal Nayak faced protests, legal uncertainty, Sanjay Dutt’s arrest and extortion threats before its release.
- When
- The film was released in 1993; Dutt was arrested on April 19, 1993, and Ghai recalled additional extortion calls in 1998 and 1999.
- Where
- Protests began in Pune and Delhi, while Ghai held the premiere in Delhi.
- Why
- Opponents objected to “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai,” while Dutt’s arrest and threats added further uncertainty around the film.
Supporters and filmmakers
Protesting organisations
Interpretation of the song
Supporters and filmmakers
Subhash Ghai described “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” as an artistic folk song important to the film’s situation.
Protesting organisations
Protesting organisations, including women’s organisations, called the song vulgar and wanted the film’s release stopped.
Release of the film
Supporters and filmmakers
Ghai argued that audiences should watch the complete film before judging it, and Bal Thackeray publicly defended the movie after viewing it.
Protesting organisations
Opponents sought to prevent the release, while the court’s decision on whether the film could be shown remained pending until the premiere day.
- Film
- Khal Nayak
- Release year
- 1993
- Lead cast
- Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit and Jackie Shroff
- Controversial song
- “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai”
- Protesting organisations
- 32 organisations, according to Subhash Ghai
- Court decision
- The court allowed the release at 6:30 p.m. on the premiere day
- Sanjay Dutt arrest
- April 19, 1993, under TADA and the Arms Act