A Film That Nearly Didn’t Release
Paresh Rawal has been part of Indian cinema long enough to know its highs and lows, but even for him, the journey of his upcoming film, Ajey—The Untold Story of a Yogi, has been turbulent. The film, based on the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, was embroiled in an extended struggle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The project was denied clearance initially, with its fate looking doubtful until the Bombay High Court finally intervened and permitted its release without any cuts.
For Rawal, the court’s decision wasn’t just a legal win but also a reflection of how difficult the path to storytelling has become in India today.
“Making Any Film Feels Like a Struggle”
When asked if political films face the most hurdles, Rawal is quick to broaden the lens. “It’s tough to make any film, aisa lag raha hai mujhe toh abhi,” he admits. According to him, social media has become an overpowering force, sometimes holding creators accountable but at other times stifling expression. “If your intentions are clear and the film is made honestly, then you can’t think too much about the noise. You’ll never be able to please everyone. The most you can do is create something you actually believe in.”
It’s one that deeply resonates in the current atmosphere, wherein filmmakers live under constant pressure not only from censors but also from the immediate responses of millions on the internet. What might once have been a quiet discussion among critics now becomes a full-blown storm within hours.
The Courtroom Twist
The veteran actor recalls with amusement how the courtroom proceedings played out. The judge, addressing the CBFC lawyer, asked whether he had even watched the film or read the book it was based on. The answer was no. “Pata nahi kyun, samajh mein nahi aata ki aisa kyun karte hain voh,” Rawal says, shaking his head. For him, the issue wasn’t just about this one film but about how often decisions are made without proper understanding.
The Biopic Debate
Biopics almost always attract criticism, often accused of glorifying or sanitizing their subjects. Rawal has been through this before with Sanju (2018), who faced similar allegations. But he draws a line between that and his current project. “This story only covers Yogi Ji’s life until he enters politics. It’s about the untold part of his journey. Whatever is already public can’t be called untold. So there’s nothing here to whitewash.”
He adds that audiences sometimes expect a biopic to function like a documentary, forgetting that cinema works with drama, perspective, and narrative choices. “You can’t compress a person’s life into a few hours without making choices. The question is whether you make those choices with honesty or with an agenda.”
Standing Firm Against Trolls
Of course, the actor is well aware of the storm that brews on social media whenever such films are announced. But at 70, Rawal is not one to be shaken. “Main darne wala nahi hoon yaar. Trolls ko toh main achhi tarah jawaab bhi dena jaanta hoon,” he says with a chuckle. He points out the irony of online outrage: “People whose opinions weren’t even taken seriously at home now find an audience online, and that gives them validation.”
He believes trolling is less about the film itself and more about people seeking attention. And while some creators choose to stay silent, Rawal has no hesitation in calling out what he sees as unfair criticism.
Staying True to Intent
For Rawal, the answer to all this noise lies in honesty. He believes that while creators can’t predict or control reactions, they can control their own intent. “You narrow down your choices this way. You can’t make films for everyone. You can only do what feels right.”
That clarity, he says, is what has sustained him through decades in the industry. Even when trends changed and new waves of cinema came and went, he continued to adapt without losing sight of why he became an actor in the first place: to tell stories that matter.
Cinema in the Age of Noise
In many ways, his musings extend beyond this single film. They point to the bigger issues confronting Indian filmmakers these days, where art is analyzed on the spot and controversies are whipped up even before the first show. And yet, Rawal opts for strength.
With Ajey—The Untold Story of a Yogi finally hitting theaters, he seems ready for whatever comes next: praise, criticism, or both. What matters to him is that the story has been told with sincerity. In his words, that alone is the filmmaker’s true responsibility.
At the end of it all, Rawal believes the audience, not the outrage, will have the final word. “Films are remembered for their honesty and craft, not for the noise that surrounded them,” he says. It’s a reminder from a veteran that while storms come and go, what remains is the work itself.