Monday, February 9, 2009

'Derogatory' term 'barber' to be dropped from Shahrukh's flick

February 8th, 2009

New Delhi :After courting controversy days ahead of its release, Shahrukh Khan's latest film 'Billu Barber' will see the term 'barber' dropped from its hoardings and posters across the country following objections from an association of hairdressers, terming it "derogatory".
The actor-producer, who spoke to representatives of the Salon and Beauty Parlors Association over the issue, today said his production house Red Chillies Entertainment will ensure that the term 'barber' is removed from all hoardings.

"We will put a piece of paper on the word barber wherever it can be done in India. We will send teams," Khan said.

"Posters and hoardings belong to the production, which is Red Chillies. It is a little expensive to try to change the posters, so, that we couldn't have done," he told CNN IBN.

The association had earlier objected to the title of the film, terming the use of the word 'barber' "objectionable and derogatory".

The association President Uday Takke had reportedly threatened to take to streets if the film, that is set to hit theatres next Friday, was released with some objectionable content.

Khan, who has a cameo in the Irrfan Khan-starrer, said though his company stood by the fact that there is nothing wrong with the use of the word 'barber', they did not want to offend anybody.