Jaat Director Gopichand Malineni Responds to Church Scene Controversy: “No Filmmaker Intends to Hurt Any Community”

Ziya Khan 4 weeks agoLast Updated: April 20, 2025

In response to the backlash over a church scene featuring Randeep Hooda in Jaat, director Gopichand Malineni has clarified that the intent behind the scene was never to offend religious sentiments. His comments come after the film’s production team released an official statement confirming the removal of the controversial scene. In an interview with Mid-Day, Malineni explained that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had not flagged the scene during the trailer review process. However, they later instructed the team to blur the background in the final print. “The censor board didn’t raise any issues regarding the trailer cut, but subsequently, they advised us to blur the background in the film print.

This was done even before any objections were raised,” he stated. He emphasized that, “For a film to be a blockbuster, it must appeal to as many viewers as possible. No filmmaker intends to hurt people or communities; we aim to entertain them.”Previously, the film’s production team issued an official apology acknowledging public concerns and confirming the removal of the scene. Their statement read, “There has been a backlash regarding a specific scene in the film. The scene has been removed immediately. Our intention was never to hurt any religious sentiments. We deeply regret this situation and have acted quickly to delete the scene.

We sincerely apologize to everyone whose beliefs have been affected.”Jaat, directed by Malineni, features a notable ensemble cast, including Sunny Deol, Saiyami Kher, Regina Cassandra, and Randeep Hooda. Set against a gritty rural backdrop, the film explores themes of identity, justice, and social tension. Hooda portrays a conflicted character navigating the complexities of politics, violence, and redemption, while the supporting cast adds depth to the narrative.Released in theaters on April 10, 2025, Jaat continues to attract attention not only for its performances and storyline but also for the conversations it has ignited around creative expression and social responsibility in cinema.