HT-M-Jodha Akbar to be changed-Ekta

After activists of Sri Rajput Karni Sena (SRKS) held protest demonstrations for demanding the withdrawal of the TV serial, Jodhaa Akbar, producer Ekta Kapoor (right) says that the show would be amended by changing its name and character.

Ekta, who recently flew to Jaipur to hold talks with SRKS convener, Lokendra Singh Kalvi, said there: "We are committed to the fact that no caste, community or religions will be shown in bad light by us. We can not stop the serial Jodhaa Akbar as Zee (the channel) is also a party to it, and there are certain contractual obligations among ourselves and third parties. As a producer of the serial, we will consider to change the name of show and character's name. We have discussed the issue with SRKS now, and if their demand is not met... I openly say at a public forum that there would be no involvement of Balaji in the TV show. I will abide my decision in the future too. If I have hurt any religion or community whether Rajput or any other caste... I'm apologising for it."

SRKS had claimed that the period drama had "distorted" the history of the Rajputs. "The character Jodhaa, as depicted in the serial, had never existed in Rajput history of Rajasthan nor with Akbar," Kalvi had said.

The group had even barred the release of Ekta's upcoming film, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Dobara, in the state but now they have given a green signal to it.

"After a meeting with the Karni Sena chief Kalvi, it is decided that our new film will be shown in Rajasthan's theatres forthwith," says Ekta.