October date set for film on Indira Gandhi

An upcoming film based on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots following assassination of India's Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, is all set for release on October 7, after being stuck with the censors for four months.

Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker, Shivaji Lotan Patil, '31st October' featuring Soha Ali Khan and Vir Das is based on a true story of a Sikh family's survival against all odds.

It shows one of the days that changed the course of Indian history which affected millions in India and abroad. Writer-producer Harry Sachdeva and co-producer Anand Prakash say, "We are glad that after crossing these hurdles, 31st October will be released worldwide."

The Censor Board had asked the makers to delete many scenes depicting violence and bloodshed — nine major cuts in all. The Board had also raised concern over a few scenes and dialogues that could possibly instigate a particular community and wanted it to be toned down.

The Revising Committee, claimed the makers, made them submit the film several times over, trimming down "controversial" scenes by six to seven minutes. Verbal abuses, including "saala", were beeped.