Producer Shoaib Chaudhary accuses Channel of succumbing to political pressure
Team ClarionÂ
MUMBAI — The much-anticipated biopic on Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the renowned founder of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), has been met with a disappointing response from national broadcaster Doordarshan. Despite the film’s international release on OTT platforms, Doordarshan has refused to telecast it on Prasar Bharati’s OTT service.
Titled Sir Syed Ahmed Khan: The Messiah, the biopic delves into the life and struggles of the influential reformist and educationist. It is based on Sir Syed’s autobiography Hayat Javed, and it highlights his pivotal role in shaping the educational and social reforms that continue to inspire the Indian Muslim community today.
Producer Shoaib Chaudhary, who has previously worked with Doordarshan on several successful projects, expressed his frustration at the broadcaster’s decision. In a statement, Chaudhary said, “It is shocking that my biopic on Sir Syed, a towering figure in India’s educational history, has been rejected for streaming on the national platform. This film is based on a man who dedicated his life to the upliftment of the Muslim community through education. It seems that my proposal has been deliberately cancelled to please political masters.”
The letter from the program executive of Prasar Bharati, which was sent to Mumbai-based Dark Horse Productions, indicated that the proposal for the Sir Syed biopic was not accepted for telecast or streaming on Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform. The official reason provided for the refusal was that the proposal did not meet the eligibility criteria for broadcast under the Revenue Sharing Mode (RSM).
This move has raised eyebrows, especially given that Sir Syed’s legacy continues to be celebrated in India. During the centenary celebrations of AMU in 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the AMU campus as ‘Mini India,’ acknowledging the institution’s role in fostering unity and education across religious and cultural divides.
Mudassar Hayat, President of the AMU Old Boys Association in Delhi NCR, voiced his concerns about the decision, stating, “The life story of a great leader like Sir Syed should be shown to the nation, particularly to the younger generation. This biopic could dispel many misconceptions and serve as an inspiration for students to view education as a tool for progress and development.”
The biopic, which traces Sir Syed’s struggles and triumphs, also portrays his efforts in establishing AMU, which today stands as a beacon of education. Sir Syed’s contributions to the social and educational reform movements of 19th-century India continue to be revered, especially in the context of the challenges faced by the Muslim community during British colonial rule.
Despite the rejection, the film has garnered a positive response on international OTT platforms, where it is being hailed for its meticulous portrayal of Sir Syed’s life. However, the refusal by Doordarshan to showcase the film to a domestic audience has sparked debates about censorship, political influence, and the role of state-run media in shaping public perception.
Chaudhary, who has worked on several successful projects for Doordarshan, remains hopeful that the film will eventually find a platform in India that recognises its educational and cultural significance. “I believe the people of India deserve to know the story of a man who fought for education and social equality. It is unfortunate that such an important film is being sidelined,” he concluded.
The controversy surrounding the refusal to broadcast the biopic is likely to raise important questions about the role of public broadcasters in promoting diverse narratives and the possible influence of political considerations in programming decisions. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the biopic will find a broader audience in India or whether the political climate will continue to stifle its potential reach.
