Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Tigmanshu Dhulia Recalls Censor Trouble Over Dilip Kumar Film
Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia talked about an old problem involving the movie Ganga Jamuna.
The movie came out in 1961 and starred Dilip Kumar.
In one scene, Kumar’s character, Ganga, says “Hey Ram” while dying.
Dhulia said the censor board objected because Dilip Kumar was Muslim.
The filmmakers explained that Ganga was a Hindu character.
Dhulia claimed the disagreement eventually reached Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
He said Nehru watched the movie and did not find anything wrong with it.
Dhulia also said other delayed movies were cleared afterward so Ganga Jamuna would not appear to have received special treatment.
Dhulia is now set to appear in Ghamasan on ZEE5.
Tigmanshu Dhulia recalled alleged censor-board objections to Dilip Kumar’s 1961 film Ganga Jamuna.
The reported objection concerned the character Ganga saying “Hey Ram” while dying.
Dhulia claimed officials questioned the dialogue because Dilip Kumar was Muslim, although Ganga was Hindu.
According to Dhulia, the dispute reached Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who watched the film and found nothing objectionable.
Dhulia said other films held by the censor board were later cleared to avoid perceptions of special treatment.
- Who
- Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia recalled an episode involving actor Dilip Kumar, the censor board, and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
- What
- Dhulia claimed Ganga Jamuna faced a censor objection over Dilip Kumar’s character saying “Hey Ram” while dying.
- When
- Ganga Jamuna was released in 1961; Dhulia discussed the episode at The Wire’s State of Media and Film Industry event.
- Where
- The discussion took place at The Wire’s State of Media and Film Industry event; the articles do not specify its location.
- Why
- According to Dhulia, the censor board objected because Dilip Kumar was Muslim, despite his character being Hindu.
- Film
- Ganga Jamuna
- Release year
- 1961
- Actor
- Dilip Kumar, who played the Hindu character Ganga
- Reported objection
- Ganga saying “Hey Ram” while dying
- Filmmaker making the claim
- Tigmanshu Dhulia
- Prime minister mentioned
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- Related project
- Ghamasan, scheduled to premiere on ZEE5 on September 11
